Southwest reopens Whitehaven Center Vaccination Site

By Daphne Thomas and Diana Fedinec
 

Vaccination
A Shelby County resident give two thumbs up as he
prepares to receive his Pfizer vaccination at the
reopening of the Whitehaven Vaccination Center
Oct. 2, 2021.

Southwest, Shelby County Health Department, City of Memphis and State of Tennessee teamed up during the Whitehaven Center Vaccination Site reopening Oct. 2, 2021, to administer 150 COVID-19 vaccinations, 138 of which were booster or third shots. The site was a shining success earlier this year when nearly 40,000 COVID-19 vaccinations were administered February 5 - June 25.

When SCHD approached the College about reopening the site as booster shots became available, College officials gladly offered the Center’s parking lot and the leadership of Dr. Verneta Boone to run the site, again. “We are honored to partner with Shelby County Health Department in the quest to save lives by providing the community convenient access to the vaccine,” President Tracy D. Hall said.

Nurses at the site administer first, second and third Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Nov. 20, 2021. No reservations are required. Residents eligible for the Pfizer-BioNTech third or booster shot must present a CDC Covid-19 Vaccination Record Card showing they completed the initial series at least six months ago.

Residents eligible for the third shot are:

  • At least 65 years old, OR are
  • At least 18 years old AND either:
    • Have an underlying medical condition,
    • Work in high-risk settings or
    • Live in high-risk settings.

SCHD began administering the COVID-19 vaccination to children as young as five years old Nov. 4.  A parent or guardian must accompany children under 18 years old at time of vaccination and provide the child’s ID as well as complete and sign a consent form on-site.

For more information about vaccine eligibility, visit the SCHD website at https://www.shelby.community/.  

Students, employees and the public can keep abreast of college-wide Coronavirus updates at Southwest’s coronavirus website