Photo from the CDC

The second week of Phase 1B of the state’s COVID-19 vaccination effort is now underway. Marion County Public Health Director Kim Dorn says that this week’s focus is school staff, with clinics taking place for those staff at the schools, and only one other clinic is planned.

“This week, we’re focusing on Marion County school districts. Knoxville Schools is scheduled for Tuesday, Pella is scheduled for Wednesday. I’m working with the other districts to get those schedules hammered out. On Thursday, we have a clinic here at Marion County Public Health, specific to second doses. We won’t be inviting anyone other than people who have already had their first dose and it’s been 28 days, and they need their second dose.”

Dorn anticipates that a national program providing pharmacies with their own doses may begin this week. Those doses will be independent of the allocations provided by public health departments, and are an additional way for seniors to receive the vaccine. She reminds the public that this is a fluid process, and urges patience. Stay tuned to KNIA/KRLS, KNIAKRLS.com for the latest information on COVID-19 vaccines. More from Marion County Public Health Director Kim Dorn can be heard on today’s Let’s Talk Knoxville.