There was such a strong turnout for this week's first round of COVID-19 vaccinations in Charleston that Tallahatchie General Hospital filled all of its appointment slots.
A total of 200 doses of the Moderna vaccine were allocated for inoculations Thursday, March 4, and Friday, March 5, at the Tallahatchie County Safe Room/tornado shelter, said TGH Chief Operating Officer Buddy McRae. By the end of today, all will have been given.
"We're excited and grateful that so many Tallahatchie County residents have used this opportunity to get vaccinated without having to travel out of town or wait in a long line," McRae noted. "We'll continue to take appointments until all our vaccines are gone, but since there's been such a good response, we urge everyone who's interested to make an appointment soon."
Tallahatchie General Hospital registered nurse Melissa Thompson, left, is pictured Thursday afternoon with vaccine recipient Martha Booker of Charleston at the Tallahatchie County Safe Room. (Photo by Clay McFerrin)
TGH originally received an allotment of 200 Moderna doses, but last week McRae announced that another 500 doses would be allocated to the Charleston hospital.
Those remaining 500 doses will be administered, by appointment only, on the following additional dates:
• Thursday, March 11
• Friday, March 12
• Thursday, March 18
• Friday, March 19
The shots will continue to be given at the Safe Room, located at the corner of East Walnut and South Market streets — behind Bank of Commerce and across from Market Street Family Dental.
Appointments may be scheduled by calling TGH at 662-647-8000. Callers will be transferred to someone who will make an appointment if a slot is available.
Yesterday, Gov. Tate Reeves announced that eligiblity for a COVID-19 vaccine has been expanded to include all Mississippians 50 years of age and older.
The revised list of eligibility requirements is as follows:
» All persons aged 50 years and older
» All teachers/staff/employees in K-12, preschool or child care settings
» All first responders (including law enforcement, public safety, fire services and emergency management officials)
» All health care personnel
» Persons aged 16-49 years with underlying medical conditions, as follows: cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), Down syndrome, heart conditions (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies), immunocompromised from solid organ transplant, obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2) or severe Obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2), pregnancy, sickle cell disease, smoking, diabetes or other medical conditions as determined by a medical provider.
In addition to local availability of Moderna in Charleston, the Mississippi State Department of Health continues to offer appointment slots at a limited number of locations around the state for the two-dose Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, as well as the one-dose Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine. To learn more, visit the MSDH scheduling website here or call the COVID-19 hotline at 1-877-978-6453.
Appointments for vaccine administration in Charleston can be made only by calling the aforementioned TGH telephone number.
Remember, to be effective, two doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are required, and both doses must be the same vaccine.
