UPDATE: Tennesseans age 16 and older eligible for COVID vaccine by April 5

The Tennessee Department of Health announced Monday that residents age 16 and older will be eligible to receive a COVID vaccine by April 5th.

The news came as the agency enters Phase 2 of the state vaccination plan for those aged 55 and older.

More first-line employees are also eligible for the serum in this phase, including:

* 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

(IMAGE: Associated Press)