COVID Vaccine
The Jackson Clinic no longer has COVID vaccines. We encourage our patients who have not had the vaccine to get it from your local health department or local pharmacies. Prior to any appointment, please let us know if you have any symptoms including fever, cough and recent contact with sick people. The health of you, our staff, and our community are very important to us. The wearing of face masks is required for all patients, visitors and staff while in any of our facilities. We strongly encourage you to wash your hands frequently. We ask that only one person accompany each patient if needed. Together we can help reduce the spread of COVID, especially among our most vulnerable friends and neighbors.
There are many questions about the vaccine. Vanderbilt University Medical Center has published an excellent series of videos and a “frequently asked questions” web page to answer the most common concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine. The information is presented by Dr. William Schaffner, one of the most renowned infectious disease and vaccine experts in the U.S. Please take a few minutes to view these informative videos and explore the FAQ page.
In addition to the videos, below are some additional informative links:
TN Vaccine Distribution
CDC Vaccine Considerations if Pregnant
View Informative COVID Vaccine Information
Jackson Clinic Doctors Discuss COVID Vaccine
COVID Testing
The Jackson Clinic Convenient Care is here for your acute care needs and illnesses. If you are not sick but are seeking COVID testing, please contact your local health department. Due to limited resources and staff, we are only able to care for sick patients at this time.
COVID Antigen "Quick Test" Nasal Swab:
Indicated for identification of COVID infection if a patient has symptoms consistent with COVID.
COVID PCR Nasal Swab:
Indicated for identification of COVID infection if a patient has symptoms consistent with COVID and those without symptoms.
This is the best test for those exposed to someone with a COVID infection needing testing. However, the test only determines if you have COVID when the test is performed. If you are exposed to someone with COVID, you can develop symptoms up to 14 days after exposure with the most common time period five-seven days post-exposure.
For example, if you test negative on day two after exposure to a COVID-positive person, you could still develop symptoms up to 14 days after exposure. If you develop symptoms after the first test, you may need to be re-tested.
COVID Antibody Blood Test:
Indicated to assess for prior infection of COVID.
- This test cannot determine when a person with a positive test had the infection.
- This test cannot determine if you have full immunity to COVID.
- The FDA advises against using to evaluate the level of immunity.
- There is no way to know yet how long the antibodies remain positive.
Continue to Take Care of Your Health
Patient Protocol
If you have an appointment or walk-in to a Jackson Clinic location:
All patients who have an appointment or walk into our clinics are screened for respiratory symptoms, fever, or possible exposure to COVID-19 via our check-in process. At this time, all patients are required to wear a mask. Patients who have respiratory symptoms are asked to call the clinic to schedule an in-office appointment or telehealth appointment (telehealth appointments are preferred). This protocol is to better serve and protect all of our patients, both sick and well, at this time.
COVID-19 Visitor Guidelines
Because of the severity of illness that occurs in patients with COVID-19, The Jackson Clinic must implement strategies to help limit visitors and restrict all volunteers and non-essential healthcare personnel (HCP) in our facilities.
- No pharmaceutical representatives, home health representatives, etc. are permitted.
- Students in college can continue their clinical rotations, but minor students (high school students) are not permitted.
- If needed, please plan for only one person to accompany each patient for upcoming visits.
“Social Distancing” is used to help avoid the spreading of illness by purposefully increasing the physical space between people. The aim is to prevent sick people from coming in to contact with healthy people which would decrease the possibility of healthy people becoming infected.
The CDC defines “social distancing,” as it applies to COVID-19, as "remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately six feet) from others when possible."
Examples of social distancing:
- Working from home instead of the office.
- School closings and/or switching to online classes. (Children and teens should be discouraged from gathering in public places while schools are closed in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.)
- Using electronic devices to visit friends/family instead of in person.
- Canceling and/or rescheduling large meetings or conferences.
- Houses of worship suspending services.
- No hugs or handshaking.
The purpose of social distancing is to slow down the current outbreak as well as to reduce the chance of infecting high-risk populations. Beyond the personal risks, social distancing is put in place to reduce the strain on the health care system and its workers.
For more information about social distancing, click the links below:
What to do if you think you have COVID-19:
If you are experiencing these symptoms:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- AND have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Then:
Call your Jackson Clinic provider at 731-422-0213 OR talk to The Jackson Clinic through our live Telehealth portal without leaving your home. Many insurance companies are stating Telehealth services are a covered benefit, so check with your insurance provider. If the provider is unable to treat your symptoms through Telehealth, you will be asked to make a traditional visit.
Learn more about Telehealth here.
The Jackson Clinic Telehealth provides you with the first line of defense while minimizing the risks of infecting others.
If you are a Jackson Clinic patient and you have not set up your Follow My Health, learn more here.
COVID-19 and Your Infant (Birth to 12 Months)
Dr. Carlton Hays with tips about your child and COVID-19
OB/GYN Dr. Chris Welsch Discusses Telehealth Video Visits
You Can Still See Your Jackson Clinic Physicians
OBGYN Dr. Nancy Utley Discusses Pregnancy During COVID-19
Setting up your Follow My Health portal with The Jackson Clinic and have access to your medical data and Telehealth video visits.
Patient Protocol for The Jackson Clinic
Helpful Reminders about COVID-19
What you need to know about the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Dr. Bryan Tygart Discusses Your Options During This Health Crisis
Jackson Clinic Convenient Care Is Here For You
CDC Resources and Information
The main source of information regarding, COVID-19 will come from the CDC. Their website is a reliable source of helpful information: cdc.gov.
The CDC has many resources available for public use. If you would like more information, please look at the links, documents, and videos below.
Information about Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses; and, in humans, can cause respiratory illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe respiratory illnesses. COVID-19 is the most recently discovered coronavirus that began in China, December 2019. The most common symptoms are cough, fever, and shortness of breath.
Most patients (80%) recover without needing special treatment and can stay home if symptoms are not severe. Approximately one in six who get COVID-19 become severely ill and develop difficulty breathing. Older patients, and those with underlying medical problems like heart disease, diabetes, and lung problems, are more likely to develop a severe illness. People with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing should call their primary care provider first or contact a provider through Telehealth.
Your best defense against illness is to wash your hands with soap and water, cover your mouth if coughing, avoid close contact with people who are sick, and stay home if you are sick unless you leave to seek medical care.
