WAYCROSS, Georgia (WRDW / WAGT) – Governor Brian Kemp received Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine on Friday at the Ware County Health Department in Waycross.
He waited in line until he became eligible to receive the life-saving vaccine. Now that all Georgians aged 16 and over are eligible, he has traveled to the southeastern part of the state to once again reiterate that vaccines are safe and effective.
“Like thousands of other Georgians, I was thrilled to roll up my sleeves and get the Johnson and Johnson vaccine today – and I was proud to have my youngest daughter, Amy Porter, joining me too,” said Kemp. “We are both feeling very well and we are very grateful for the medical miracle that is literally saving countless lives here in Georgia and around the world. We encourage each Georgian to join us and help our state get back to normal. “
To schedule your appointment, visit MyVaccineGeorgia.com or dph.georgia.gov.
Across the river in South Carolina …
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster said on Friday the state is opening COVID-19 vaccination to residents aged 16 and over.
He said residents could start scheduling appointments next week and receive the vaccine from March 31.
State officials initially planned to implement the 16-year-old or older rule in May, after completing a final priority phase for people aged 45 and over.
South Carolina joins at least a dozen states that have opened vaccination eligibility for all residents aged 16 and over.
As of this week, more than 1.1 million people in South Carolina have received at least one dose of the vaccine. The vaccine has not been approved for children under the age of 16.
Pfizer begins testing its photos on younger children
Pfizer is now testing its coronavirus vaccine in children under the age of 12.
More than 100 children are participating in the trial.
Authorities say at least two children got the first chance. They will receive the second dose after 21 days.
At the moment, they are researching the right dose for children aged 5 to 11 years.
Pfizer has tested its vaccine on more than 2,000 children aged 12 to 15 years.
Savannah could ease restrictions
The city of Savannah could get rid of the covid-19 restrictions soon.
Mayor Van Johnson said this week it could happen by the end of the month.
City officials are waiting to see what the cases will look like after the two-week celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.
“If it is marginal, we can move towards an incremental restoration of some things,” said Johnson. “If not, we will leave things as they are. It all depends on what our numbers say in the coming days. “
Where can you get a vaccine
- Periodic consultations are available at the AU Health vaccination center in Augusta. You can also sign up for appointments at the Washington Square location, 2834 Washington Road. Sign up at https://www.augustahealth.org/vaccine.
- In Washington County, a state-run drive-through clinic is located at Word of Life Church in Sandersville. You can register at MyVaccineGeorgia.com.
- Optim Medical Center-Screven will conduct a drive-thru Modern vaccine clinic, free of charge, on Saturday, from 9 am to 1 pm, on the hospital campus, 215 Mims Road in Sylvania. Enter the main hospital entrance at the exit of Rocky Ford Road. The date and time of the second dose will be provided after the first dose has been administered. It is open to Georgia residents who meet the current eligibility requirements for the COVID-19 vaccine, listed below. Appointments are required by calling 912-629-3555.
- Aiken Regional Medical Center has partnered with the University of South Carolina Aiken and will maintain vaccination clinics at the student activities center, 471 University Parkway. Both the first and second doses will be available to those eligible in Phase 1A and 1B. The following clinic is open for consultation: 1,000 Modern first dose vaccinations available on March 31 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm with the second dose scheduled for April 28, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. If an individual is eligible for Phase 1A or 1B, they are already registered on the CDC VAMS portal (Vaccine Administration Management System of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and have not scheduled an appointment, they can log in to the portal and select an available vaccine clinic location, date and time and can schedule an appointment for these clinics. Scheduling availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration instructions for those included in the current eligible phases are available at aikenregional.com. To find out who is included in the current and future phases, visit scdhec.gov/vaxfacts.
- The Bamberg Family Practice in Bamberg is offering the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines to the public on Thursdays, from 2 pm to 5 pm, on a first come, first served basis, with return visits scheduled for the Modern vaccine.
- North Augusta Pediatrics is offering the Modern vaccine. Call 803-510-0007.
Copyright 2021 WRDW / WAGT. All rights reserved.