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Health officials say tens-of-thousands of COVID-19 vaccination appointments going unused

Tenn. Dept. Health

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Mike Osborne)  --  Tennessee will on Wednesday surpass two-million residents vaccinated against COVID-19, but state health officials say the inoculation campaign is facing problems with vaccine “uptake.”

State Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey told reporters on Tuesday that there are 500,000 open appointments currently available statewide.

Officials say 80 percent of available appointments in West Tennessee remain unused. Half of all appointments in East Tennessee are unfilled. In Middle Tennessee, two out of every 10 vaccination slots remain open.

President Joe Biden recently announced he wants the state’s to open COVID-19 vaccination to all adults by no later than May first. Dr. Piercey told reporters Tuesday she believes Tennessee will meet that goal.

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