Governor Brian Kemp announced today the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency is opening five more COVID-19 mass vaccination sites throughout the state on March 17. The drive-through sites add an additional capacity for 20,000 first doses per week to the 22,000 doses currently available at the existing GEMA/HS mass vaccination sites in Habersham, Hapeville, Macon, and Albany.
“These additional sites mean even greater access to the vaccine for Georgians,” says GEMA/HS DirectorChris Stallings. “Our partnerships with Gulfstream Aerospace and public partners are enabling us to provide these additional resources for communities across the state, and we are grateful for their hospitality.”
Same as the existing sites, Georgia’s new mass vaccination sites will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They will operate in the following cities:
- Columbus-Muscogee Site – Columbus, GA
- Washington County Site – Sandersville, GA
- Chatham County Site – Savannah, GA
- Bartow County Site – Emerson, GA
- Ware County Site – Waycross, GA
Appointments are required to receive a vaccine, and although registrations are not yet available for these sites, residents may preregister at MyVaccineGeorgia.com.
Over 18K shots administered first week
The four mass vaccination sites currently operating opened on February 22. During their first five days (they’re only open on weekdays), they administered a combined total of 18,667 injections, or approximately 85% of their combined total weekly capacity.
Healthcare workers at the Habersham County site administered 5,537 vaccinations between Feb. 22-26. It was the second busiest site next to the one at the Delta Airlines Museum in Hapeville which administered 6,402 shots. Healthcare workers at the site in Macon administered 5,199 injections their first week, while Albany trailed with 1,402 injections.
Officials say each site is equipped to administer up to 1,100 vaccinations per day.
Who’s eligible?
Only those who currently meet the state’s Phase 1A+ vaccination criteria are eligible to receive the vaccine. That includes healthcare workers, residents and staff of long-term care facilities, adults aged 65+ and their caregivers, and first responders (law enforcement, fire personnel including volunteer fire departments, dispatchers and 9-1-1 operators).
Effective March 8, the state is expanding eligibility to public and private school teachers, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers, and parents of children with complex medical conditions.
