Gov. Kemp announced last week that those 55 and older and those with a long list of health issues would be eligible starting Monday. Now those who have asthma, compromised immune systems, lung disease, cancer, diabetes and sickle cell disease, or even those who are just overweight, can get in line.
This is now the state’s biggest effort to efficiently and quickly vaccinate masses of adults.
Registration Challenges
The DPH website is one of two operated by the state through which people can try to register for vaccine. The other is run by the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. They’re not linked, so unfortunately if there are open appointments in one system, a person who’s wait-listed on the other system won’t know it.
Hana Schank, director of public interest technology for New America, a public policy think tank, said having two state sites plus multiple private providers is likely frustrating people. She pointed to more efficient operations in places such as Virginia, which has a one-stop, centralized sign-up website.
State officials have pushed the GEMA website as the simpler go-to resource to get large numbers of people vaccinated at sites the agency runs. When using this site, it is important to scroll past the list of vaccination sites and phone numbers is a place for entering an email address and phone number. This will allow persons to receive an email within 24 to 48 hours enabling registration for an appointment or getting on a waiting list.
While the state site at the Habersham County Fairgrounds in Clarkesville was booked, the operation seemed efficient.
A steady stream of cars made their way through various checkpoints for doses of the Pfizer vaccine, then waited for about 15 minutes in a parking area. Don Strength, the site manager, said most people were coming from metro Atlanta, adding that people from throughout the state are welcome.
He said the site on Monday was starting its fourth week and with expanded eligibility was increasing its daily number of vaccines administered to 2,100 per day, up from 1,000 per day in previous weeks. He said the site could likely increase the capacity to close to 3,000 doses per day.
Who are given COVID-19 vaccine priority in Georgia?
- Healthcare workers (physicians, nurses, laboratory technicians, EMS personnel, environmental services, etc.)
- Residents and staff of long-term care facilities
- Adults aged 65+ and their caregivers
- Law enforcement, firefighters, first responders
What are the COVID-19 travel restrictions in Georgia?
There are no restrictions for travel to, from, or within Georgia. If you leave your home, you must follow social distancing, sanitation, and public health safety measures and local laws. If you test positive for COVID-19, you must follow home isolation protocol.