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Fulton health officials changing process for 2nd COVID-19 vaccine dose appointments

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Some Fulton County residents have complained that after struggling to get an appointment for their first coronavirus vaccine shot, they’re having similar difficulties scheduling the second booster shot.

But county health officials have made changes to help make the process easier.

Beginning this week, those receiving their first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine will be given a reservation for their follow-up shot.

Those who got their first dose last week or earlier, and did not get a reservation for their second dose, will be notified about how to schedule it.

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

“What we are doing with them, is about a week before their shot is due, their second dose is due, they’re going to get an email with a link in it, or get a call if they don’t have email, to schedule that second dose.” said Dr. David Holland, Chief Clinical Officer with the Fulton County Board of Health.

Holland says the county has administered around 15,000 vaccine doses. Like other metro counties, they could use many more to meet demand.

“We are not worried about having sufficient supplies for the second dose, because we can always reduce the number of first doses we give,” Holland said.

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One person who received their first vaccine dose Wednesday told Channel 2′s Tom Regan that health care workers at the Aviation Cultural Community Center in South Fulton made sure he was on the calendar for his next shot.

“It’s real easy. It’s on the card. It has the date that you come back,” said vaccine patient Mark Dammeman.

Other counties in metro Atlanta are also scheduling second dose appointments for patients right after they get their first vaccine shot.

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