Lee nursing students receive COVID-19 vaccine
Nursing students practice their skills during a simulation. Photo by Riley Latham
Nearly a year after the first case of COVID-19 was reported in the United States, the first vaccines to protect against it are being administered.
The U.S. government, including lawmakers and public health officials in 50 states and 14 U.S. territories, is working closely with the Food and Drug Administration and approved vaccine providers to distribute the anticipated doses.
Tennessee is currently in phase 1B of administration. This phase includes administration of the vaccine to first responders, outpatient healthcare workers, kindergarten through high school teachers, child care and pre-school teachers and people age 65 and older.
Jalyn Poynter, a senior nursing student with a minor in Spanish, received both Pfizer vaccine doses. Following her second dosage, Poynter reported feeling “radiating pain, pounding headaches, a sore arm and more fatigued than usual.”
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, these are temporary signs your body is building protection from the virus.
Megan Shean, a sophomore nursing student, said she only experienced a sore arm following her first dosage of the Moderna vaccine.
Megan Shean (left) and Jalyn Poynter (right) photographed by Rhianna Barrow.
Poynter and Shean work in a nursing home, where they risk exposure to the coronavirus.
While many nursing students are eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine, it is not yet required by the state. The flu vaccine is necessary for all nursing students unless they have exceptions approved by the department.
According to Tennessee’s three-phase distribution plan, students living in college dormitories will not be eligible for the vaccine until phase three of the process, making individuals in congregate living facilities eligible for the vaccine. This includes college students living in college dormitories, those working in shelters or other settings where individuals are capable of independent living.
In Bradley County, the Medical Center Pharmacy and the Preferred Cherokee Pharmacy are distributing the vaccine by appointment for eligible people.
The Bradley County Health Department is also distributing the coronavirus vaccine and offers a pre-registration option for those who wish to be notified when they are eligible for the vaccine.
The Lee University Health Clinic is not currently a vaccination site, but Director of Health Services Rachel Coffey hopes for access in the next few months.
“Since vaccination quantities are somewhat limited right now, I do not see [the health clinic becoming a distribution site] as a current possibility; however, I would love to be able to offer COVID vaccinations to both our employees and students as we get further into the vaccination phases,” said Coffey. “Being able to assist in community vaccinations would be a wonderful opportunity to serve, and I would love to be a part of it.”
Coffey expects coronavirus vaccinations will be available to institutions of higher education and their students by this summer.
“While this date is not written in stone, I am encouraged at the latest data from the state about vaccination phase progression,” said Coffey.
The Lee University Health Clinic administers COVID tests by appointment. To contact the health clinic, call (423) 614-8430. More information about vaccine eligibility and appointments can be found on the state’s Health Department website.
Free COVID testing is available at the Cleveland Health Department, located at 201 Dooley St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311. Call to schedule an appointment ahead of time.
