Hometown Health Watch Group Formed

From press release:

Led by Livingston Regional Hospital along with Quality Home Health, NHC Home Care, Kindred Hospice, and Upper Cumberland Hospice and Palliative Care Services, Hometown Health Watch has been formed to reach out to the rural residents of the Upper Cumberland. The Hometown Health Watch consist of a team of health care professionals whose purpose will be to pass along health information that directly affects rural communities and individuals.

Being out in the healthcare community daily, the team has come across valid questions and concerns from residents about the COVID 19 vaccination.

A spokesperson for the group states, “Our goal is to alleviate questions or fears that our general population may be concerned with regarding COVID-19 and other important health issues affecting them.”

One concern many people have surrounds the issue of how fast the vaccinations came into production and were approved for use. According to the CDC, large scale clinical trials found the vaccines to be safe and effective in the prevention of COVID 19. Dr. Dawn Barlow at the Livingston Clinic states: “the vaccine are both safe and effective in preventing severe illness and death from COVID 19. “ She encourages everyone to consider getting the COVID vaccination.

Another concern voiced is the potential for side effects. Side effects may include chills, tiredness, injection site redness and soreness.  According to the CDC, these side effects are signs that your body is building protection against the virus and are a normal response. The side effects from COVID-19 vaccination should go away in a few days. (CDC)

As health care professionals, we encourage everyone to consider getting the COVID 19 vaccination for the health and wellness of our communities.

All residents 16 years and older are now eligible for the vaccine in the Upper Cumberland. Many local physicians are now stocked with the vaccine, as well as all local health departments. To schedule your vaccination, please reach out to your primary care provider or your local health department. More information about the virus and vaccine can be found at https://covid19.tn.gov/ or on the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/effectiveness/work.html