NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – Vaccine eligibility expanded across Tennessee on Monday with the addition of two new groups now eligible: Phases 2a/2b and those 55+.

Now anyone 55 and up and people that work in critical infrastructure can sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Governor Bill Lee spoke about the expansion in a video he shared on Monday morning.

Lee also announced that every Tennessean 16 and up will be eligible to receive the vaccine no later than April 5.

“Here is the big news, no later than April 5th every Tennessean age 16 and up will be eligible to receive the vaccine, a few TN counties will start that process in the coming days,” said Lee.

The governor went on to say the Federal government has asked states to make sure every adult can receive access by May 1st, “Tennessee will beat that deadline.”

From availability to current phases, find vaccine information for every Tennessee county using News 2’s Vaccine Tracker map.

Who is eligible under Phase 2?

Starting last week, Tennesseans aged 55 and older and those in Phase 2 of the state’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan became eligible. Phase 2 includes those who work in settings that have experienced high numbers of COVID-19 infection clusters, and whose work is critical to continuing vital state operations. These groups include:

  • Child welfare and adult protective services agency workers with direct public exposure
  • Commercial food manufacturing workers
  • Commercial agriculture workers involved in production and safety of food supplies and commodities
  • Corrections system workers not previously covered under Phase 1a1
  • Public transit drivers and maintenance personnel
  • People working in other transportation, public infrastructure, telecommunications and utility industries
(Source: Tennessee Department of Health)

Eligibility for those in Phase 3 of the state’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan will run concurrently with age-based eligibility. Phase 3 includes residents and staff members of congregate living facilities including college dormitories, group homes and shelters and those in the corrections system.

Phase 3 also includes grocery store workers who were not eligible for vaccination based on previous age or risk-based categories. To help ensure vaccines are available to these populations, direct allocations of vaccines will be made to these facilities.