A quick guide to the COVID-19 vaccine

Written by Colleen Miller, Graphics by Colleen Miller and courtesy Ga. Department of Public Health

Since COVID-19 first took hold in the U.S., scientists, politicians and the general population have had vaccinations on their mind. Now with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting over 500,000 deaths since the pandemic began, one of many concerns is distributing vaccines made by Pfizer, Moderna and J&J.

Each state has created their own vaccination plan with specific groups able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine during different phases. Ga.’s plan was first prepared Oct. 2, 2020 and made official Feb. 24, 2021. It describes the complex plan for ordering, shipping and distributing the COVID-19 vaccine in Ga. while prioritizing those most at risk to the virus.

As the Ga. DPH receives vaccines from the federal government, the plan outlines that they will be distributed using the infrastructure of the pre-existing Vaccines for Children program. The plan also outlines that Ga. will be following CDC guidelines as well as the National Academy of Medicine’s Framework for the Equitable Allocation of COVID-19 Vaccine.

“Throughout this response, the main goal will be to assure vaccine distribution and administration processes are in place to begin rapid vaccine administration to Georgia residents once vaccines become available. Critical populations will be prioritized using a phased approach based on assessed level of risk for exposure to or complications from the disease.”
— Ga. DPH’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan

Within Chatham County there are currently six COVID-19 vaccination sites:

Chatham County Health Department
Chatham Country Health Department – Midtown Center
Compounding Solutions of Savannah
Lo Cost Pharmacy
Nightingale Infusion
Skidaway Village Pharmacy Inc.

map of COVID-19 vaccination sites in Chatham County

As of Feb. 25, 2021 the following groups are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Ga.:

Healthcare workers (physicians, nurses, laboratory technicians, EMS personnel, environmental services, etc.)
Residents and staff of long-term care facilities
Adults aged 65+ and their caregivers
Law enforcement, firefighters, first responders

Beginning March 8, 2021 the following groups will be eligible as well:

Educators and staff (Pre-K, K-12, DECAL licensed or exempt childcare programs)
Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers
Parents of children with complex medical conditions

As of March 2, 2,104,827 vaccines have been administered in total with 88,267 being administered in Chatham county. Data about numbers of vaccines ordered, administered and more can be found via an interactive dashboard created by the Ga. DPH.