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.
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Subscriber Only Doug McGowen Alicia Haushalter Bruce Randolph COVID 19 vaccinesThank you for supporting local journalism.
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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.