Sweetwater Hospital Association is proud to announce the administration of almost 1,300 Moderna vaccinations to the citizens of Monroe County. 

Left to right:  Mike McNabb and Lauren Steed, RN

The Moderna vaccine is a two-dose vaccine that is given at least 28 days apart.  This injection does not contain eggs, preservatives, or latex and is recommended for people over the age of 18.  Sweetwater Hospital Association’s vaccination distribution plan follows the federal and state categorical and age-based phases, which are designed to help medical care providers remain strong and provide protection to the most vulnerable members of our community.

The almost 1,300 community members vaccinated by Sweetwater Hospital Association include hospital employees, medical staff members, student health providers, individuals age 65 and over, and those who cannot live alone due to serious chronic medical conditions.  As additional supplies of vaccine become available, Sweetwater Hospital will expand into phase 1c offering injections to those Tennesseans 16 Years Old or Older with High-Risk Health Conditions:

• Caregivers (or household residents) of medically fragile children <16 years old (such as technologically dependent individuals, immunocompromised individuals, individuals with diabetes requiring medication, individuals with complex congenital or life-threatening cardiac conditions requiring ongoing medical management, individuals qualifying for a Katie Beckett waiver)
• Chronic renal disease
• COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, Cystic Fibrosis, moderate-severe asthma
• Obesity (BMI >30)
• Heart failure, CAD, cardiomyopathies, hypertension
• Sickle cell (not including sickle cell trait) or thalassemia
• Cerebrovascular disease or stroke
• Dementia
• Liver disease
• Immunocompromised or weak immune system (receiving chemotherapy, taking daily oral steroid or other immunosuppressant medication, living with HIV/AIDS, history of organ, blood or bone marrow transplant)
• Technologically dependent (such as individuals who are ventilator dependent, oxygen-dependent, with tracheostomy, chronically wheelchair-bound, require tube feedings, parenteral nutrition, or dialysis)
• Pregnancy (NOTE: The CDC and World Health Organization have advised that pregnancy puts women at higher risk of severe illness due to COVID-19.  COVID-19 vaccines have not been studied in pregnant women.  Women who are pregnant are encouraged to discuss this decision with their medical provider.)

Sweetwater Hospital Association is confident these safe and effective vaccines can work in tandem with current masking, social distancing, and hand washing habits to put an end to the pandemic.

Vaccine supply is limited at this time.  Please call 865-213-8761 to place your name on the COVID-19 vaccine waiting list and our schedulers will call to schedule an appointment with you as vaccine becomes available.