NHC Smithville schedules its first vaccination clinic for COVID-19

January 6, 2021
By:

The first COVID-19 vaccination clinic for patients and staff at NHC HealthCare, Smithville will be Friday, January 8. Walgreens is partnering with NHC to administer the Moderna vaccine.

“The vaccine’s arrival at NHC is a very exciting moment in our efforts to combat COVID-19,” said Ryan Vaden, Administrator.
“We serve some of our community’s most vulnerable population, and this vaccine gives us hope that we can put this public health emergency behind us.”

Walgreens will return four weeks later to deliver the second dose. The Food and Drug Administration granted Emergency Use Authorization for the Moderna vaccine on December 18. With a 94 to 95 percent efficacy rate, these vaccines are among the most successful immunizations available.

“We have seen firsthand how dangerous this virus can be,” Vaden said. “As infection rates have spiked in DeKalb County, we have seen infections at NHC, too. It’s important for people to remember that the choices we make as individuals also affect our community.

“At NHC, we look forward to the safe reunion of our patients and families after nearly a year of COVID-19 precautions. The more people get vaccinated, the more likely that wish becomes reality.”

Some 5 million Americans have been vaccinated for COVID-19 so far, and residents and staff of long-term care facilities are among the priority recipients.

NHC Smithville offers skilled nursing, inpatient rehabilitation, hospice and continuing care services. For more information, visit www.nhcsmithville.com or call (615) 597-4284.

January 5, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

As a way to honor health care workers, first responders, and essential workers in their fight against COVID-19, the Smithville Aldermen adopted a resolution paying tribute to them during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting.

In taking this action, the city was actually following the lead of the county commission who adopted the same resolution first last Monday night as sponsored by 7th District County Commissioner Beth Pafford.

The resolution states as follows:

“Whereas, the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 has ravaged the world, the United States of America, the State of Tennessee, and DeKalb County; and

Whereas, the pandemic has caused untold stress on our health care facilities, long term care facilities, health care workers, first responders, and essential workers; and

Whereas, the health care workers, first responders, and essential workers have performed courageously and tirelessly during the pandemic; and

Whereas, the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen recognize the service and sacrifice of the front line workers and chooses to honor them and show support of them in their fight against COVID-19.

Be it further resolved that this resolution be spread upon the minutes of the meeting of the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen and that the news media be provided a copy of the resolution”.

Before final passage, the original resolution as presented was amended to remove one sentence which read “Now, Therefore Be It Resolved that the members of the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen pledge that they will practice social distancing, mask wearing, and hand hygiene as a legislative body and in their daily lives in the fight against COVID-19”.

Aldermen Jessica Higgins, who asked that the sentence be stricken , said while she didn’t disagree with the message she thought the resolution should be totally about honoring the health care workers, first responders, and essential workers and not about the mayor and aldermen.

“I am really excited to see us honoring our health care workers, first responders, and essential workers but I feel like where it (resolution) talks about us (mayor and aldermen) really doesn’t have a place there. I want to honor those moms and dads who have worked in ways that I can’t imagine. I don’t want to put in things about us and what we are doing. I want to talk more about them,” said Alderman Higgins.

Alderman Shawn Jacobs said he didn’t believe the reference to the mayor and aldermen detracted from the core message of the resolution.

“I have wanted to honor our health care workers, first responders, and essential workers for some time. I hope when all this is over (COVID) with we can have a great big celebration for all of them but us pledging that we are going to do our best to stop the spread of COVID, I don’t see how that detracts from the resolution.,” said Alderman Jacobs.

January 5, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Tennessee continues efforts to administer COVID-19 vaccinations as described in the state’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan. Tennessee county health department staff members administered more than 25,000 COVID-19 vaccinations during the New Year weekend, and more than 157,000 total vaccinations have been administered statewide to date.

K-12 teachers and child care workers along with the elderly have moved up in line for the vaccine right behind frontline health care workers.

COVID-19 vaccine supplies remain limited at this time, and availability of vaccines varies by county. According to reports, the DeKalb County Health Department is currently out of the vaccine. Tennessee is working to vaccinate Phase 1a populations and individuals aged 75 and up as vaccine supplies are available.

This week shipments of COVID-19 vaccines are expected to begin arriving at Tennessee pharmacies that are partnering with long-term care facilities to vaccinate their residents and staff members onsite, as outlined in Phase 1a1 of Tennessee’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan. As county health departments vaccinate phase 1a2 and begin to vaccinate those aged 75 years and older, pharmacies will also be administering vaccines for long-term care facility residents and employees. Although this may result in smaller shipments to county health departments, it is critical to get vaccines to those who are the highest risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 as quickly as possible.

NHC Smithville will partner with Walgreens on Friday, January 8 to do their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to patients and staff.

“We are pleased with the overwhelming interest Tennesseans are showing in receiving COVID-19 vaccinations, and are working as quickly as possible to provide vaccinations as we receive additional shipments of vaccines,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. “Some Tennesseans are now receiving their second doses of vaccine as well, so they will be well protected against COVID-19.”

It is important to note Tennessee counties may progress through COVID-19 vaccination phases at different times, depending on supplies of COVID-19 vaccines. To learn what phase your county is in, visit https://covid19.tn.gov/covid-19-vaccines/vaccine-phases/.

TDH reminds all Tennesseans that in addition to vaccination, wearing a face mask, maintaining social distance and getting tested when exposed or sick are critical to controlling the pandemic.
The Tennessee Department of Health updated the Tennessee COVID-19 Vaccination Plan Dec. 30. The plan is available online at www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/cedep/novel-coronavirus/COVID-19_Vaccination_Plan.pdf Find answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination at www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/cedep/novel-coronavirus/COVID-19_Vaccine_FAQ.pdf.

The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. Learn more about TDH services and programs at www.tn.gov/health.
Connect with TDH on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn @TNDeptofHealth!

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