Ballad Health accelerating COVID-19 vaccinations across the region with Super Saturday event – WJHL-TV News Channel 11

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) The race is on for health organizations in the region to get as many people vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible.

The latest push is a series of weekend events to open vaccinations up to more people.

Ballad Health is hosting a Super Saturday vaccine event tomorrow.

Ballad will open its community vaccination centers in Kingsport, Elizabethton, Norton, and Abingdon, as well as a one-day site in Greeneville.

Since Ballad Healths announcement, appointments have since doubled. The health care system is anticipating anywhere between 400 to 500 community members to walk through their doors to get a vaccine.

Kingsport is just one of five locations Ballad Health has planned to issue COVID-19 vaccines. The health care system is hoping to meet the needs of community members who are unable to attend vaccine events during the week.

Ballad Health Chief Infection Prevention Officer Jamie Swift said, This is a walk-in clinic. Weve got extra staff on hand, theyre going to help us to crowd control, extra parking. All of our facilities are located in the area that theres plenty of parking. We may be close to a hospital but not inside of a hospital, so youre not having to deal with that traffic.

Appointments are not required and walk-ins are welcome, however, Ballad Health will only have a limited supply of Pfizer vaccines at each site. Here are the number of vaccines available at each site:

What we dont want to happen is someone to stay in line and then be turned away. Well let you know if weve reached our capacity, Swift said. If we have, were still not going to turn you away with nothing. Well go ahead and get you scheduled for an appointment one day next week.

Swift says those who are unable to come in the 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. time slot are asked to call the Nurse Connect line at 833-8-BALLAD, in order to schedule an appointment at their vaccine clinics next week.

Were anxious and hope that we give out every appointment slot and give out every dose of vaccine. Im hoping the community responds and this is truly a Super Saturday to move over 1,000 doses of vaccines if we can, Swift said.

To get the vaccine Saturday, go to these locations:

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Ballad Health accelerating COVID-19 vaccinations across the region with Super Saturday event - WJHL-TV News Channel 11