LOCAL NEWS — According to a press release provided by the Tennessee Department of Health, Moore County ranks fourth in “highest vaccine administration per 100,000 population in Tennessee.” (Click here to read the full press release.) Unicoi, Trousdale, and Hancock counties made spots one through three.

The announcement came as part of the state announcement that Tennessee has reached a vaccination landmark of one million Tennesseans being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Approximately 22 percent have received at least one dose.

‘’We celebrate this milestone and expect to see this number increase as vaccine is more widely available,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. “The hard work and dedication of our local health departments and statewide vaccine partners have helped us reach this significant moment in our fight against COVID-19.”

Over half of Tennesseans over the age of 60 have received their first dose, and nearly two-thirds of those over age 70 have received their first does. Meanwhile, over the past month, Tennessee’s Hispanic population receiving at least one dose has increased from 3.9 percent to 12.9 percent and Tennessee’s Black population receiving at least one dose has increased from 5 percent to 15 percent, according to the state.

According to the state’s COVID dash board, Moore County has administered 1,511 shots and 15.01 percent of the county have received at least one shot. In total, Tennessee has given over 3.2 million vaccination and 1.2 million have completed both doses. To view the state’s COVID 19 Dashboard, click here.

You can book an appointment to get a vaccine online at this link. Moore County’s drive thru vaccination site located at the Lynchburg Park off Main Street will now operate Wednesdays and Fridays. Vaccines will still be given at the Moore County Health Department Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. In order to better accommodate the public, they will start at 7 a.m. on Tuesdays and stay until 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays.•

{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}