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General public will not receive COVID-19 vaccine for months, Kemp says

The 2 p.m. update is all about vaccine distribution.

ATLANTA — Governor Brian Kemp says the general public will not be able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine for months.

In a Tuesday press conference, Kemp and Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey spoke at Emory's Woodruff Health Sciences Center about vaccine distribution.

Dr. Nadine Rouphael, lead investigator for the Moderna vaccine trial, also delivered remarks as the Moderna vaccine is rolled out across the country.

Dr. Kathleen Toomey says the recently approved Moderna vaccine was tested at Emory, and one of the clinical trials was done there as well.

Kemp says the state is working “nonstop” to get the vaccines out to Georgians while following CDC guidance.

“We are seeing a miracle of modern science happen right before our eyes,” he said.

Over 246 facilities, including hospitals, provider groups, and public health departments, have placed orders for COVID-19 vaccines or are in the process of receiving additional orders, Toomey says.

She says those facilities are in all parts of the state.

A total of 17,500 vaccines have been administered across the state so far, Toomey says.

“I’m sure many of those vaccines are in the process of being interred,” she said.

Kemp says, heading into the holidays, Georgia is continuing to see numbers increase over the last few weeks.

“We are also pleasing with Georgians, once again, to do the right thing and stay vigilant,” he said.

He and Toomey reinforced four things people across the state can do to slow the spread of COVID-19.

  • Wear a mask
  • Practice social distancing
  • Wash your hands regularly
  • Follow the guidance of public health officials detailed in the Executive Orders.

Kemp encouraged people to limit holiday gatherings to just a few people within the same household or consider gathering virtually. 

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