Vaccinations start for first responders
Shelby County essential workers line up for vaccine
After nearly a year of helping bear the burden of the pandemic response, Shelby County first responders and other essential employees began getting vaccinated Monday, including the heads of the Memphis police and fire departments.
The Shelby County Health Department started the first-responder vaccinations on Monday using the Moderna vaccine. The department is running drive-thru vaccinations for first responders at two locations in Memphis.
The health department did not say how many people were getting vaccinated this week. When asked about the number of doses available, department spokeswoman referred The Commercial
Appeal to the Tennessee Department of Health.
The following groups of workers are starting to be vaccinated, per the Shelby County Health Department.
h First responders with direct public exposure including EMS, law enforcement, and fire fighters
h Staff working at COVID-19 mass testing sites
h Home health care staff with direct patient contact
h Staff and residents of long-term care facilities, residential homes for the aged and staff and residents of assisted living centers who have direct contact with residents or contact with potentially infectious materials
h Providers of K-12 or university student health services who have direct patient contact or contact with poten
tially infectious materials
h Staff of other congregate care facilities such as homes for the intellectually or developmentally disabled, detention centers, Staff of Department of Children’s Services residential facilities, rehabilitation hospitals and psychiatric hospitals who have direct patient contact or contact with potentially infectious materials