Oscar Smith came within minutes of being executed before Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee issued a surprise reprieve just over three years ago.

Amber Johnson of Fayetteville, Ark., is fighting to get COVID-19 vaccinations for her 63-year-old father, Ronald Johnson, and his fellow inmates in the facility. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – After initially deeming that inoculating prisoners could be a “PR nightmare,” Tennessee officials on Tuesday said some inmates were receiving a COVID-19 vaccine — but only those who qualify as part of other groups the state has prioritized. “The vaccine will be administered first to older inmates and those with health risks.”Carter added that the state had begun vaccinating inmates Tuesday. Earlier this week, Tennessee opened its vaccine eligibility to those with certain high-risk health conditions, along with caregivers and households where medically fragile children reside. Nearly 3% of the state's 30,000 inmates are over the age of 65, an age group that has been allowed to receive the vaccine since Feb. 22.