Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey said less than 20 percent of COVID-19 vaccine appointments in rural West Tennessee are being filled.
Piercey told the Tennessean in upper Middle Tennessee and other metro areas in East Tennessee about 80 percent of appointments are being filled. The state is working to make sure anyone who wants to be vaccinated can make an appointment.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced Monday all Tennesseans over the age 16 will be eligible for a coronavirus vaccine no later than April 5.
Since most counties have their own health department, several counties will expand eligibility to those 16 and older within a week, Lee said.
"The federal government has asked us to make sure every adult can receive access by May 1, and Tennessee will beat that deadline," Lee said.
As of Monday, Tennesseans age 55 or older can register for the vaccine.
The state reported 2.9 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been delivered to Tennessee providers to date.
To find vaccine locations near you, check out VaccineFinder. To make an appointment with your local health department, visit the Tennessee Department of Health's website.