PARIS, TN – Henry County Medical Center is proud to continue to be a COVID-19 vaccination provider to our community, working with the State of TN and the Henry County Health Department to vaccinate our community. The state has announced that we are now in phase 1c and serving those 18 and older with health risk factors.

The State Department of Health has requested HCMC to continue be a vaccine facility, receiving small shipments of 200 dosages a week. We are excited to continue our assistance with the community and also be one of the few providers to offer the one dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

At this time, we are asking that anyone interested in receiving either the one dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine or the two dose Moderna vaccine, to call our HCMC Find Line at 731-644-3463 to be put on the list for us to contact for an appointment. When you call, be prepared to provide your name, phone number, age, and vaccine type. If no one answers, please leave a message with the required information and someone will contact you to set up an appointment as vaccine becomes available.

HCMC will be offering two options for vaccination in Classrooms 2 & 3:

Monday, March 15, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Johnson & Johnson one dose vaccine
Tuesday, March 16, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Moderna first dose vaccine

Appointments for both days are being filled based on the community list, state phasing, and availability. These community vaccinations are by appointment only, so please wait for HCMC to contact you for an appointment.

“HCMC is excited to be a community vaccine provider for the Johnson and Johnson vaccine,” said Paula Bell, Director of Pharmacy at HCMC. “We are hopeful to continue to receive a shipment of it and Moderna regularly as more vaccine becomes available. The COVID-19 numbers in Henry County are slowing down as more vaccinations are given by the community providers. Our citizens are doing an exceptional job helping us get the pandemic under control by doing their part to get us closer and closer to herd immunity.”

You may also register online with the Henry County Health Department at Covid19.tn.gov or Wal-Mart to receive your vaccine. You may also call the state’s vaccine request line at 1-866-442-5301.

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.

The biggest differences between the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine besides dosage, are the technology used to develop the vaccine. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are made using messenger RNA, or mRNA, which delivers instructions to activate the immune system to develop antibodies to provide protection from COVID-19.

The J&J vaccine uses a similar development approach to other vaccines including Influenza, Polio, and Hepatitis A to instruct human cells to make the SARS-2 spike protein, which then triggers an immune response. It is what’s known as a viral vector vaccine. A harmless adenovirus has been engineered to carry the genetic code for the SARS-2 spike protein. Once the adenovirus enters cells, they use that code to make spike proteins.

There is also a difference in the efficacy of the vaccines. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are around 95% effective while Johnson and Johnson’s vaccine is around 72% effective against the original variants in the United States. More information about all the vaccines continue to unfold as more studies, trials, and usage emerge.

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, 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 demonstrating great results for patients in our community.

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.

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, TN, 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 services, as well as 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.