Henry County Medical Center Offers COVID-19 Vaccination POD for Those 65 and Older in the Community

PARIS, Tenn.  – Beginning Tuesday, January 5, Henry County Medical Center staff is providing the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to any Henry County resident 65 and older at a vaccination POD to be located at the Henry County Healthcare Center Plumley Rehab parking lot.

The vaccination POD is open Tuesday, January 5 through Friday, January 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  It will be available to those 65 and older as well as healthcare workers, first responders, and anyone meeting the phase 1b requirements on a first-come, first-served basis.  Those seeking to be vaccinated are asked to fill out the consent form that is available on our website at www.hcmc-tn.org as well as other local media outlets, including a printed copy that will be featured in the Paris Post Intelligencer on Monday, January 4.  If you do not have the form, forms will be provided at the event.

The event is a Drive-through event and participants are asked to enter the North Entrance to Hospital Circle from Tyson Avenue (this is the entrance closest to the Emergency Department Entrance).  Participants will not be able to access the vaccine POD from the South Entrance.

Participants are expected to answer a few questions as well as remain on our HCHC Plumley Rehab Parking Lot for up to 30 minutes of observation after receiving the vaccine.  If you have had COVID-19 within the last 60 days, you will not be eligible for the vaccination.  Also, if you have reactions to shots or have allergies, you should consult your primary care provider before proceeding to have the vaccination.  And, anyone receiving a vaccination during the community vaccination POD will need to complete the vaccination process by receiving the second dose at the same location 21 days after receiving the first one.

“We are very excited to be able to work with the state to fight COVID-19 in our community and region by offering this vaccination POD,” said Lisa Casteel, Chief Executive Officer at HCMC.  “Our goal is to vaccinate as many as we can so that 2021 will be a year to grow forward in healthcare services to you that improve the health of the communities we serve.  We want to see our communities healthy, and being able to provide the vaccination will allow us to do just that for those we serve.”

Henry County Medical Center received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 23 and has been vaccinating healthcare workers since it arrived.  On Tuesday, HCMC received the Pfizer vaccine, which will be the vaccine utilized in the COVID-19 Community Vaccination POD.  HCMC vaccinated 600 healthcare workers and those meeting criteria, finishing the Moderna distribution yesterday, Wednesday, Dec. 30.

“We encourage anyone who meets criteria to help protect themselves, their families, and their loved ones by getting the vaccine starting on Tuesday,” said Casteel. “Anyone receiving the vaccine will need to return 21 days later for the second dose so that they have the full immunity.”

There are usually mild to moderate side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine. The most common side effect caused by the vaccine includes pain at the site where the vaccine was given, which is in the arm. Other side effects may include a headache, fever, chills or muscle aches.  Anyone receiving the vaccine needs to utilize the v-safe system as well as report any adverse reactions to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at https://vaers.hhs.gov as well as HCMC Infection Control at 731-644-8260 during regular business hours, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After hours, report to your primary care provider or the Emergency Department.

Henry County Medical Center received its much-anticipated first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine Wednesday morning, December 23 and by 1 p.m. the healthcare facility began the process of vaccinating frontline healthcare providers.

Casteel stressed that the arrival of the vaccine to the community is a turning point in the fight against COVID-19, but it is not time to become complacent, especially as cases in the facility and community continue to rise and resources are being stressed. 

“We continue observing safety protocols such as wearing a mask, washing hands frequently and practicing social distancing,” she said. “This will need to continue after receiving the vaccination until full immunity is in effect.”

HCMC continues to offer COVID-19 testing with a provider’s orders.  Additionally, the Henry County Health Department continues to provide free COVID testing with new self-tests provided on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday by appointment. Regular nose swab tests will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. by appointment only.  

HCMC Outpatient Infusion is offering by physician order only monoclonal antibody therapy, bamlanivimab as well casirivimab/imdevimab, for treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults with positive COVID-19 test results who are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization.  These treatments are seeing great results for patients in our community who meet criteria.

How you can help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses such as Coronavirus:

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then discard in a trash.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

To view our video of providers and staff receiving the COVID-19 Moderna vaccine and the reasons they took the vaccine, view here:  https://youtu.be/I7ErPHKo9zQ

Additionally, a video will be released on Monday, January 4, 2021 that provides the community with an overview of the vaccination POD process on our website and social media sites.  Directional signage will also be out to direct people through the POD beginning on Tuesday.”

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your health care provider.  To learn more, go to our website at www.hcmc-tn.org or go to the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html

Located in Paris, Tenn., Henry County Medical Center is a progressive, integrated healthcare organization committed to serving the healthcare needs of Henry County and the adjoining region.  Including a 142-bed hospital and other facilities, the medical center provides a variety of outpatient and inpatient care. Additionally, HCMC owns and operates 8 provider clinics in various specialties.  Henry County Medical Center is a county-owned and operated nonprofit institution. For more information: www.hcmc-tn.org.