A month ago, Joe Gammon was on life support at Saint Thomas West. And his odds of recovering from COVID — even at age 44 — were not good. But he turned a corner. And then he was discharged to a round of applause. He rang a ceremonial bell to mark his departure.
Booster Shots Keep Tennessee Vaccination Sites Busy, Even As First Doses Decline
COVID vaccination sites in Tennessee have been busier since booster shots were approved late last month. But first doses continue to slow. And having residents take their first jab is still the top priority for state health officials.
Tennessee’s Science Museums Promoting, ‘Not Pushing,’ Vaccination In August
The state’s six nonprofit science museums have jointly decided to promote vaccines this August during National Immunization Awareness Month. The Science Alliance of Tennessee’s initiative is intentionally broader than COVID to sidestep the politics of the pandemic.
Tennessee Doctors Urge Political Leaders To Consider Kids First In Latest COVID Response
With school starting for most in the next two weeks, Tennessee doctors are raising concerns about the Delta variant’s spread, as kids under 12 are the only people left who still don’t have an option to vaccinate and fatal cases of the virus continue to rise in children.
Saint Thomas Becomes Latest Health System To Require Vaccines Across Workforce
The country’s largest Catholic hospital system says its employees must get the shots by mid-November, joining the likes of Vanderbilt University Medical Center locally, as COVID cases and hospitalizations across Tennessee continue to spike in the unvaccinated population.
A New Message From Tennessee GOP Leaders: Vaccines Save Lives
Republican lawmakers are urging more residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19. A letter signed by 16 state senators touts the benefits of the shots and warns about the danger of not getting them.
Vaccine-Skeptical Radio Host Receives Backlash After Being Hospitalized With COVID
Conservative radio talk show host Phil Valentine has been silent since he was admitted to the hospital for COVID-19. Meanwhile, his social media has been exploding with debate between his supporters and critics since, throughout the last year, the Supertalk 99.7 WTN host has been a staunch and vocal skeptic of the COVID vaccine.
Gov. Lee Supports Firing Of Vaccine Director But Says He Didn’t Suggest It
Tennessee’s governor has come out in support of the health department’s recent actions that landed the state in the national spotlight — that being the firing of the state’s top vaccine official, Dr. Michelle “Shelley” Fiscus, which prompted questions about vaccine outreach to children.
Leadership That Fired Tennessee’s Top Vaccine Expert Gave Her Glowing Performance Reviews
According to performance reviews of Dr. Michelle Fiscus, the Tennessee vaccine official had been praised for exceeding expectations and being attentive to her team, which directly contradicts a memo that the health department sent to media outlets after her firing this week.
Masks No Longer Required: Mid TN School Districts Loosen Rules For Upcoming Year
Districts — including Murfreesboro City Schools, Rutherford County Schools, Wilson County Schools and, most recently, Metro Nashville Public Schools — have announced that face coverings will be optional for students and staff heading into the new school year.
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