ATLANTA — Millions of more people are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as Gov. Kemp expands the age limit in Georgia.
Kemp made the announcement Tuesday, saying supplies of the vaccine continue to rise and that he’s confident that enough older adults have been vaccinated to open up inoculation to the broadest possible population.
Anyone 16 years or older are now eligible to get the vaccine.
Figures from the Georgia Department of Public Health show the state has administered 3.2 million doses overall, with nearly 2.1 million people getting at least one dose.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium opened Wednesday as a mass vaccination site, and on its first day, officials reported giving out 8,000 doses.
[SPECIAL SECTION: COVID-19 Vaccine in Georgia]
Channel 2′s Steve Gelhbach was at the stadium on Thursday and said that most people waited around 45 minutes from start to finish.
“Crowds are always scary in the pandemic, but worth it, was quick, felt safe and happy that I did it,” said resident Elisabeth Sheffield.
Gehlbach talked to one 16-year-old, who was already eligible being a caregiver, about getting everyone vaccinated moving forward.
RELATED STORIES
- All Georgians 16+ eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines starting Thursday
- Q&A: How can I book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment in Georgia? Which shots are available?
- Where are Georgia’s mass vaccination sites?
“I think it’s great. It will help a lot of high schools open up better for a lot of students able to get vaccine now and think that’s great,” said Daniel Frances.
Kemp said he would get vaccinated Friday in Waycross to try to highlight the availability of vaccines and the desirability to rural residents of getting protected.
Since March 15, people 55 and older, people with serious health conditions and those who are overweight and obese have been eligible. Also eligible are preschool and K-12 education employees, medical workers, emergency workers, residents and employees of long-term care facilities, intellectually disabled adults, and parents of children with certain complicated medical conditions.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report