Coronavirus relief is coming (later) in 2021

In the middle of another grueling shift in the St. Thomas West emergency room last month, Dr. Tim Myers stepped away and took the long walk to the back of the hospital, where he was scheduled to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

He pulled out his phone to snap a selfie as he got the injection. For Myers, his colleagues and millions of Americans, the recent arrival of vaccines was the first sign of relief after an arduous year.

Now health officials are scrambling to vaccinate people as quickly as possible. In Tennessee more than 90,000 residents have received the first of two vaccine doses with a wave of second doses expected to begin soon.

“This is the best chance that we have to stop it and get back to normal,” Myers said.

But he was realistic about the long road ahead. Tennessee health officials say it could take months to finish vaccinating frontline health care workers and people in high-risk groups. Experts say most people likely won’t get access to the vaccine until summer at the earliest.

In the meantime, the threat of sickness, overcrowded hospitals and death remains as potent as ever.

“Unfortunately, I’m a little concerned that it will only get worse here for the next month,” Myers said.

Minutes after getting his vaccine, he slipped on his white coat and headed back down the long hallway to the emergency room to finish his shift. There was no time to celebrate — more COVID-19 patients were waiting.

“We’re busy down there,” Myers said. “I’m going back to work.”

Health care experts said a return to normal was possible this year. But there is a continued need for social distancing and masks as vaccines roll out across the nation. Here’s what you need to know for the months ahead.

How many vaccine doses does Tennessee have?

Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey said she expects Tennessee to receive 360,000 vaccine doses per month in 2021.

More than 6.8 million people live in Tennessee, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. State health officials said that if supplies remain at their current levels, full vaccination in Tennessee could take until at least mid-2022.

But Piercey said she expected those shipments could grow based on increased production and potential new vaccine options this year, which could slightly improve that timeline.

How long will it take to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Tennessee?

The state’s phased vaccination plan could be modified as new research, recommendations and vaccines are released — the latest revisions were announced Wednesday.

According to the latest information, Most people will have to wait months to get their doses.

h About 450,000 front-line workers and individuals with heightened health risks get access to the vaccine first.

h An additional 100,000 health care workers get access next.

h About 150,000 teachers, childcare workers and first responders will be next in line.

h Next, about 650,000 people with medical conditions that put them at a higher risk of hospitalization or death will get access.

h Then access to the vaccine will go to about 600,000 people including grocery workers, people in prisons and people who support “critical infrastructure.”

Tennessee also will begin vaccinating elderly residents on a rolling basis while giving shots to the other high-priority groups.

There are many variables at play, including the number of Tennesseans who are willing to get the vaccine and potential delays to vaccine shipments.

Tennessee health officials administered the first round of vaccine doses to more than 90,000 people by the end of 2020. They originally hoped to vaccinate 200,000 people, but said delayed shipments blunted their efforts.

The vaccinations so far only account for the first of two doses for a small fraction of health care workers and highrisk individuals. People must get a second dose of the vaccine, at least 21 days after the first dose, before they are protected against the coronavirus.

Different counties will vaccinate their populations at different speeds, but most Tennesseans are not expected to have access to the shots for some time.

“The arrival of the vaccine is a first firm step in a still very long journey,” said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “This will take months.”

Do people need to wear masks and social distance after they get vaccinated?

While waiting for the all clear from medical professionals, Schaffner said, people still need to wear their masks and social distance — even if they’ve been vaccinated.

Scientists know the existing vaccines prevent people from getting sick, but it’s possible they could still be asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers who can spread the virus to others.

More research on the vaccines efficacy could change that guidance as 2021 progresses.

Will new vaccines be available in 2021?

Even as vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna arrive in hospitals and medical offices, scientists are continuing their research to develop new options and to fine-tune the use of existing ones.

Dr. Buddy Creech, the director of the Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Program, said as many as six vaccines could be available by summer. Those additional vaccines could speed up the vaccination program.

Even as the vaccines are put into circulation, Creech said his work is far from over. He is launching juvenile trials for the Moderna vaccine and wants to study the potential effects of vaccines on pregnant women.