APSU now an official Montgomery County COVID-19 vaccination site
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Montgomery County has a new partner in its battle against the COVID-19 pandemic – Austin Peay State University. Early Wednesday morning, the University received word from the Tennessee Department of Health that Austin Peay was now an official vaccination site for the county. APSU expects to receive its first doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine next week.
“Austin Peay is a vital part of this community, and our faculty, staff and students have worked hard throughout this pandemic to provide current scientific information and resources to keep all Clarksville-Montgomery County residents safe,” Dannelle Whiteside, interim APSU president said. “We’re excited to begin administering these vaccines to protect our friends and neighbors, and hopefully bring an end to this pandemic.”
The University has spent the last three months preparing to become a county vaccination site. While waiting for the state to approve its application, Austin Peay’s physical plant set up vaccine tents in parking lot 11, next to the Ard Building, and the University’s nursing faculty and students prepared themselves to begin administering doses.
“Once we receive our doses from the state, we’ll give the vaccine only to individuals who have made an appointment through the state’s website,” Michael Kasitz, APSU assistant vice president for public safety, said. “And we’ll dispense the vaccine following Tennessee’s phased vaccination plan, which means we won’t accept any walk-in appointments.”
Last month, Austin Peay opened a new clinical laboratory on campus for testing and vaccines. The lab has an “ultra-freeze” freezer, which is necessary to hold the vaccines.
These freezers are “very hard to come by, they’re very pricey and most people don’t have them,” Dr. Heather Phillips, the clinic’s director, said. Joey Smith, Montgomery County’s public health director, “asked if the university would be willing to help not only store the vaccine for the Clarksville community but if we would also be willing to vaccinate part of the community.”
For information on Tennessee’s COVID-19 vaccination plans, visit https://covid19.tn.gov/.
News Feed
View All News
Austin Peay's 4th Annual Education Summit connected women veterans with educational opportunities and support services. The March 29 event offered networking and resources, celebrating Women's Empowerment Month and bridging the gap between the military community and available campus support.
Read More
The APSU Board of Trustees will host its quarterly meetings at 317 College St. on April 11, with a series of committee meetings at 8:15 a.m. and the full board meeting at approximately 10:10 a.m.
Read More
Landscape and Grounds is offering 70 species of native perennials, grasses, trees, and shrubs for sale through May 2, with on-campus pickup dates scheduled for May 2 and 3.
Read More