Your coronavirus vaccine questions answered
Updated with: Where can I get vaccinated?
A member of the Memphis Fire Department received a coronavirus vaccination on Dec. 28. Health care and essential workers were among the first to receive the vaccine in Memphis. (Houston Cofield/Special To The Daily Memphian)
You have questions about coronavirus vaccinations? Us, too.
We’ll try to keep a running list of questions and answers here, from the most basic of inquiries to more in-depth investigations.
How do I sign up to get a vaccine? — updated
People can sign up for the government-run sites online and by calling 901-222-7468 (SHOT) or through Walmart, Walgreens, Sam’s Club and Kroger.
Phases 1a1, 1a2, 1b, 1c and those age 65 and up are being vaccinated.
People can also sign up for the vaccine standby list by clicking here. The list follows the state’s priority categories and is not first come, first served.
How can I get vaccinated if I don’t live in Shelby County?
The Tennessee Department of Health has launched a portal with links to signup forms and waiting lists for the state’s 89 counties without independent health departments. (It lists phone numbers for the others, including Shelby County.)
If you live in Mississippi, that state’s Department of Health has a signup form for drive-thru COVID-19 shots. More information on Mississippi vaccinations can be found here.
People can make appointments online at www.covidvaccine.umc.edu or by calling 877-978-6453.
And if you live in Arkansas, here is a list of pharmacies providing vaccines.
When can I get vaccinated? — updated
The Shelby County Health Department is rolling out vaccinations based off of the State of Tennessee’s priority groups.
Shelby County is now vaccinating those 65 and older, as well as those in phases 1a1, 1a2, 1b and 1c.
To learn which specific phase you fall in, as well as when that phase is expected to receive a vaccine, click here.
Where can I get vaccinated? — updated
Sites include locations of Walgreens, Walmart, Kroger and Sam’s Club, as well as the former Appling Emissions Center (in Cordova), Pipkin Building, Greater Imani Cathedral of Faith (in Raleigh), Southwest Tennessee Community College Whitehaven Center, Germantown Baptist Church and First Pharmacy Services (in South Memphis).
If you’ve had the virus should you still get the vaccine? And, if so, should you wait a certain period of time after you’ve recovered to get the first of two vaccine shots?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people who have already had COVID-19 do get the vaccine, since re-infection is possible. The Tennessee Department of Health says that people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 90 days may choose to delay getting the vaccine because getting it again is unlikely in that period — especially if doing so will allow others at a higher risk to be vaccinated sooner.
What would qualify someone for the pre-existing conditions/high-risk group (otherwise known as group 1c)?
According to the Tennessee Department of Health, people 16 years and older with the following conditions would be included
- Current cancer treatments
- Chronic renal disease
- COPD/pulmonary fibrosis/Cystic Fibrosis
- Moderate-severe asthma
- Obesity (BMI at or over 30)
- Heart failure/hypertension
- Sickle cell
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Immunocompromised
- Dementia
- Liver disease
From our readers: Will the University of Memphis independently distribute vaccines to its employees, similar to other universities across the country?
According to the university, there are no plans at this time to offer the vaccine.
Who can I call for more info?
The local COVID-19 hotline for questions is 901-222-6275.
We’re currently compiling other questions, and as we find out those answers, we’ll add them here.
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