District 2 Health Department Statement to Patients concerning COVID-19 vaccine

GAINESVILLE, GA – The following is a statement from the District 2 Health Department:

“Due to the huge response for the COVID-19 Vaccine, all District 2 Public Health Departments’ phone lines, call center, and the website is overwhelmed and unable handle the demand.

We ask that everyone be patient. We understand that everyone is anxious, but everyone who wants the vaccine will be given the opportunity to get vaccinated.

Currently, there is a limited supply of vaccine available at a small number of providers. As more vaccine is shipped to additional enrolled providers, access to appointments will improve over the days and weeks ahead.

Again, we ask that residents be patient for the next couple of weeks as vaccine and appointments become more readily accessible.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

It is important to remember that this is a two-dose vaccine, given 21 or 28 days apart, depending on the manufacturer. For the Pfizer vaccine, it is 21 days apart and the Moderna vaccine is 28 days apart. This means that appointments for the second dose must be scheduled when the first dose is received. This process also places some limits on the speed at which the vaccine can be given.

We are adding staff to help with vaccine administration.

We are planning with other health care providers, colleges and universities to utilize nursing students, paramedics, and other health care professionals to help vaccinate residents.

In addition, we are scheduling special clinics where we can vaccinate larger groups of people at one time. An announcement will be made about these clinics when we have staffing and vaccine on hand. Appointments will be required.

The special clinics will require larger venues where people can safely social distance while being vaccinated and then wait the required observation time after being vaccinated.

We continue to place orders for more vaccine as we administer the vaccine on hand. This will keep our vaccine supply line going.”

Image courtesy of WiR_PIXS.