NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — So far, nearly 2,500 Davidson County seniors 75 and older have received COVID-19 vaccines.
“We’re shooting for 600 a day,” said Interim Director of Health at Metro Public Health Department, Dr. Gill Wright.
In the state, 18.65% of those 71-80 years old have been vaccinated. For those 81 and older, it's 13.13%.
Still many vulnerable people in long-term care facilities are waiting on vaccines. As of Sunday, 18,000 residents have been vaccinated. This comes as the state announced a total of 2,200 resident deaths in nursing homes out of just over 17,000 cases- that's a death rate of almost 13%.
Although he believes the latest phase of roll outs have gone smooth, Wright said supply isn't meeting the demand. "I would love to say yes we are but the true answer is no, and I think if you ask that of any large area regardless across the country- no we're not getting enough, but we kind of expected this early. This is a commodity that is under-supplied at the moment. As we get more produced it will become less of an issue."
Wright said on average Davidson County receives about 5,300 doses a week, all of which are used.
He added, “the other thing is that we’re being very careful so that we don’t get out more vaccine than we think we’re going to use.” Wright said less than five vaccines are left over at the end of the day and those are administered through a standby list.
"I just hope that people as they’re patient and wait that when we get to the point where it’s widely spread that they do go ahead and follow up and get their doses,” said Wright.
