Governor Brian Kemp visited Pruitt Health’s The Oaks-Limestone facility in Gainesville this morning, where he announced a new partnership between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and CVS Health and Walgreens companies to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to long-term care facilities.
Kemp said that more than 95 percent of facilities in Georgia have already enrolled in the program. Pruitt Health's The Oaks location is one of 14 assisted living facilities in the state to be the first to vaccinate workers and residents under this partnership, according to a spokesperson for Kemp.
“We are eager to see the vaccine make its way quickly and safely to our most vulnerable and to those great Georgians that are giving them world-class care,” said Kemp.
Kemp said that workers at Pruitt Health will be first in line to receive the vaccine. He named specifically Jonathan Harris, a senior certified nurse assistant for Pruitt Health.
“Staff, as you know, in our long-term care facilities have been the frontline heroes for months now and we could not be more grateful for their work and for leading by example of getting the vaccine,” said Kemp.
Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner Kathleen Toomey and Georgia Department of Community Health Commissioner Frank Berry joined Kemp for remarks at Pruitt Health.
Toomey assured members of the public who are skeptical about getting the vaccine that data so far looks “wonderful”.
“For those who are hesitant about the vaccine, the data look wonderful…the data from the vaccine look very, very good and the safety record is very, very good,” said Toomey. “You should be reassured that these vaccines are safe, effective and will save lives.”
Toomey added that a new public hotline created by the Georgia Department of Public Health will answer questions about the vaccine as it becomes more available in the state.
Toomey said that around 39,000 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine have been allocated to long-term care facilities as a part of the new partnership. These doses will pull from the Georgia allocation of vaccines, but Toomey said that Georgia officials today received an additional supply of Pfizer vaccines.
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health website, approximately 26,010 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to frontline healthcare workers, first responders and now long-term care facility staff and residents.
Kemp said that as the vaccine rolls out, state officials are still taking precautions for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19. Some of these measures include the temporary care facility at the Georgia World Congress Center and storage of an 80-day supply of Personal Protective Equipment to distribute if needed.
In the meantime, both Kemp and Toomey encouraged the public to limit gatherings, especially during New Year’s Eve celebrations, to help prevent the spread of the virus.
“COVID-19 is still here and it still prevents a threat to the people of our great state,” said Kemp. “We cannot let our guard down, we’ve got to continue to do those five things: wear your mask, practice your social distancing, wash your hands, follow the guidance and get the vaccine when it becomes ready.”
