While Georgia has been criticized nationally for the number of COVID-19 vaccines administered to the state's residents, Gov. Brian Kemp said Friday the state is making steady progress when it comes to getting shots into arms.
According to the latest data on the Georgia Department of Public Health's vaccine dashboard, more than three million doses of vaccine have been administered - that includes first and second doses. The number represents 82% of doses allocated to Georgia. It also includes one million Georgians over the age of 65, accounting for 72% of Georgia's senior adult population.
Hall County has administered more than 71,000, according to DPH statistics.
"Georgia continues to make significant strides in protecting our most vulnerable citizens in the fight against COVID-19, with 72% of our seniors receiving at least one dose," Kemp said in a press statement. "This targeted, data-driven approach to prevent hospitalization and death at the hands of the virus, coupled with increases in supply from the federal government, has allowed the state to move quickly in expanding vaccination criteria. With more Georgians now eligible, nine state-operated mass vaccination sites, over 1,300 private providers receiving vaccines, we have put 1 million shots in arms over the last 19 days."
Kemp noted in the Friday statement that Georgia remains low on the list when it comes to the number of doses delivered on a per capita basis.
"While Georgia has received increased vaccine allocation, we are 48th out of 50 states in doses delivered per 100,000 residents, according to the CDC. Additionally, as Dr. Toomey [DPH Director Kathleen Toomey] and I discussed earlier this week, at least 250,000 doses confirmed as administered through the federal pharmacy program have been counted as shipped to Georgia but have not been reported as administered in our state."
Kemp said state officials are working with the CDC and the Biden administration to address the issue of vaccine allocation and shipment.
