How the City of Memphis is winning the vaccination effort
Lt. Mark Johnson administers a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 at Memphis Union Mission. A homeless man named Michael had no qualms about getting a vaccination: “I didn’t worry about all the dope and drugs I did. I’m not gonna worry about this little shot.” (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
The freezer at Regional One Health has been unofficially dubbed "Chillie Nelson" for its ability to store vaccines at at an impressive -76 degrees. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Firefighter Muhammad Babandi loads a portable cold storage unit containing Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine outside Regional One Health just before dawn March 16, 2021. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
A health care worker gathers her paperwork after administering a COVID-19 vaccine at the Pipkin Building March 16, 2021. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Lt. Lee Gregory drops off paperwork at the city of Memphis' Raleigh site March 16, 2021. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Health care workers tend to the lines at the Raleigh vaccination site March 16, 2021. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Firefighter Philip Cole loads a dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine March 19, 2021. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Memphis Fire Department director Gina Sweat goes over vaccination numbers at the Emergency Management headquarters March 16, 2021. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
City of Memphis chief operating officer Doug McGowan looks over his notes shortly before a meeting of the COVID task force at the Office of Emergency Management March 16, 2021. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Nurse practitioner Heather Lucas prepares does of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine at the city of Memphis' Appling Road site March 16, 2021. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Where the Shelby County Health Department failed, the City of Memphis is so far succeeding as the authority over the local COVID-19 vaccination process. It’s a combination of leadership, an effective command system that touches all levels of the operation and a resolve to be accountable.
Topics
Subscriber Only Doug McGowen Alisa Haushalter Bruce Randolph COVID 19 vaccines2025 is almost over. Now is the time to support your trusted local news source.
Will you help us reach more Memphians with quality, in-depth local news? Make a fully tax-deductible donation or other contribution to The Daily Memphian, a 501(c)3 nonprofit news organization, today.
Thank you for keeping up with what’s happening in Memphis. Thank you for investing in our community’s trusted local news source.
Don Wade
Don Wade has been a Memphis journalist since 1998 and he has won awards for both his sports and news/feature writing. He is originally from Kansas City and is married with three sons.
Comments have been disabled on this story.