More people eligible for vaccine
Up to 40% of state population eligible
Shelby County is vaccinating people in phase 1c. Here’s a rundown of who is included in that group.
Across Tennessee, including in Shelby County, vaccinations opened up to people in phase 1c of the state’s vaccination plan this week.
State Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey estimated up to 40% of Tennessee’s population was now eligible to be vaccinated.
Dr. Steve Threlkeld, co-chair of the infection control program at Baptist Memorial Hospital-memphis, said as people who are more likely to get seriously ill or die if they catch COVID-19 are vaccinated, Shelby County will likely see a dramatic decline in hospitalizations and deaths.
“Once we get that group vaccinated, we’re really talking about making it a large way towards the goal line,” he said.
Hospitalizations and deaths have been in decline locally and nationally over the past two months, but the pace of the decline has leveled off somewhat in recent weeks. And people are still getting sick with the virus and dying.
As of 5 p.m. Monday, the most recent data available, there were 168 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the metro area. As of Wednesday, there had been 1,529 COVID-19 deaths reported in the county.
Threlkeld said everyone currently hospitalized due to COVID-19 had one thing in common: They had not been vaccinated.
Phase 1c conditions
All of the following conditions only apply to people who are 16 or older. None of the vaccines currently available are authorized for use in people younger than 16.
Here’s what medical conditions are included in phase 1c:
● Diabetes
● Liver disease
● Dementia
● Down Syndrome
● Obesity — defined as a body mass index of 30 or above ● Chronic renal disease
● Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
● Pulmonary fibrosis
● Asthma — moderate or severe
● Heart failure
● Coronary artery disease
● Hypertension
● Cardiomyopathy
● Sickle cell anemia
● Thalassemia
● Cerebrovascular disease
● Previous stroke
● Muscular dystrophy
● Muscular sclerosis
● ALS ● Other neuromuscular disorders
● HIV/AIDS
Other people who are part of phase 1c include:
● Individuals who are pregnant
● People who permanently reside with someone who is pregnant
● People who are dependent on medical technology including ventilators, dialysis and external oxygen as well as people who use wheelchairs due to a high-risk medical condition, people who have had a tracheostomy and people who require tube feeding or parenteral nutrition.
● People who live with or care for people dependent on medical technology.
● Individuals who are undergoing chemotherapy, take oral steroids daily or take other immunosuppressant medications
● People who live with or take care of children younger than 16 who have complex congenital heart diseases such as Tetralogy of Fallot, hypoplastic left heart syndrome and double outlet right ventricle.
People in phases 1a and 1b who have not yet been vaccinated and everyone 65 and older, regardless of whether they have underlying conditions, are also eligible for vaccination. Phases 1a and 1b include medical workers, first responders, mortuary workers, teachers, childcare staff and people living in congregate care settings.