NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — If you currently don't qualify to get a COVID-19 vaccine in Nashville, you can now sign up to be on what Metro Nashville Public Health calls a standby list.
"Anybody can sign up to be on this standby list," said Brian Todd, a spokesperson for Metro Public Health.
While the odds are slightly better, being selected by Metro Public Health from the standby vaccine list is about like winning the lottery. Only a few will "win" each day, and thousands will be vying for them.
"We will pluck four names out of that standby list, and offer it to them," said Todd. "Some days, we might not have any doses available, some days we might have as many as four doses."
Metro started the program this week because they occasionally have leftover doses available that can't go back into the freezer, so they don't want them to go to waste. "We’ve been thinking about how we can make sure we don’t waste even one dose of the COVID vaccine?" said Todd.
To sign up, you'll need to send an email to COVID19VaccineStandby@Nashville.gov with your name and phone number.
READ MORE: MPHD creates 'Standby List' to ensure no COVID-19 vaccines go to waste
It's a separate drawing each day. "Then we delete the whole email list and it starts over again the next day," said Todd.
One of the conditions, you have to be able to get to a clinic in Five Points in just 30 minutes, which obviously disadvantages people who have inflexible jobs or don't have their own transportation.
Brian Todd replied to that point, saying. "It’s not a large number and we will begin offering this on a more broad basis as we get more vaccine but we felt like this was a good way, at least for now, to be able to get it into arms and it doesn’t go to waste."
Until vaccine access improves, it will just be the priority groups, and a lucky few, that win the prize of immunity. "Who knows when we get to that day but I can tell ya - I’ll be one happy person when we do," said Todd.
It's important to note -- the standby list is different from the vaccine waitlist for seniors 75+. Anyone who wants to sign up for that list can do so by clicking here. visiting ASafeNashville.org
