Information about registering for the COVID-19 vaccine has been disseminated to EMS services across the State since last Friday. If your service has not received this information, you should reach out to your local Health Department as soon as possible.
EMS providers are included in the State’s Phase 1a vaccination plan. Priority should be given to those individual EMS providers who are in the following high-risk group:
- ≥ 65 years of age
- current cancer treatment
- chronic kidney disease
- chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- history of solid organ transplant
- obesity (Body Mass Index [BMI] of ≥30)
- serious cardiac disease (excluding hypertension)
- sickle cell disease
- diabetes (Type I and II)
Minimal information being requested by the Health Department to assist in organizing PODs include:
- Number of employees who meet phase 1A population criteria that wish to receive the vaccination.
- Number of employees who meet phase 1A population criteria AND meet at least one of the above listed high-risk group criteria.
You should be submitting your information ASAP. It is anticipated that vaccination efforts for Phase 1a will continue throughout the 1st quarter of 2021.
Message from Brandon Ward – Director, TN Office of EMSAll,
Over the past few days there have been multiple questions and concerns swirling about regarding the safety and efficacy of the COVID vaccine. Facebook specialists have fueled the flames of skepticism with multiple conspiracy theories. Vanderbilt University Medical Center held a town hall meeting to discuss this issue earlier this week and I was fortunate enough to be a part of the town hall. Dr. Russ is the main presenter and is a trusted college and friend. He presented the facts regarding the vaccine and explained, in laymen terms, how the vaccine works and why it is effective. I encourage you to take the time to listen to his presentation before you make your decision. I will admit that I was one of the people who said “not me”, but have changed my mind after this presentation. As I stated in the meeting, I am not trying to persuade you either way, I just want you to make an informed decision based on facts. Please feel free to share with anyone you feel would benefit from this information.
Brandon Ward I Director
Tennessee Department of Health
Office of Emergency Medical Services
Informative COVID Vaccination Town Hall Discussion – Stephan Russ M.D., Associate Chief of Staff, Vanderbilt University Hospital Associate Professor, Emergency Medicine
Access Passcode: xKNyz7*i
State Health Department – Frequently Asked Questions
CDC – Healthcare Professionals: Preparing for COVID-19 Vaccination