Local

Appointments not necessary at Albany vaccine site for those eligible

ALBANY — Georgia’s new mass vaccination site in Albany is the only one in the state that is offering vaccines to eligible people without an appointment.

Gov. Brian Kemp said Sunday that anyone in Phase 1A can drive up to the Albany Georgia Forestry Site without registering beforehand. Phase 1A includes people 65 and older and their caregivers, residents of long-term care facilities and staff, healthcare personnel and law enforcement, firefighters, EMS personnel and 911 operators.

[SPECIAL SECTION: COVID-19 Vaccine in Georgia]

“In order to increase the number of vaccines distributed, at the Albany site only, we are allowing eligible people to drive up with no appointment necessary,” said GEMA/HS Director Chris Stallings. “If you have an appointment you are guaranteed to receive a vaccine as scheduled, but if you don’t, we will administer vaccines until we run out of each day’s allotment.”

Local officials said they hope to give out 2,200 shots a day.

Albany is roughly a three-hour drive from Atlanta.

[LINK: Where to find the COVID-19 vaccine in Georgia]

The Albany location is one of four mass vaccination sites that opened Monday across the state. The other sites are at the Habersham County Fairgrounds in Clarkesville, the Macon Farmer’s Market in Bibb County and the Delta Air Lines Museum in Hapeville.

Appointments are still necessary for vaccination at the GEMA/HS Mass Vaccination Sites in Habersham County, Bibb County and Fulton County. Those eligible for vaccination can still preregister for an appointment at any Site by visiting http://myvaccinegeorgia.com.

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