Governor Brian Kemp provided an update on COVID-19 and the effort to vaccinate state residents in the state Tuesday afternoon.
Kemp once again stressed the need for patience with the process since the demand for the vaccine, even among those in the 1A group, far outweighs the supply.
"First we have 1.3 million seniors and 536,000 healthcare workers in Georgia. Second, we are allocated 120,000 vaccines per week. 40,000 of those are immediately withheld from the state and sent to CVS and Walgreens to vaccinate our nursing home staff and residents through the federal program Operation Warp Speed."
Kemp says providers who withhold their supplies will face consequences.
"Let me be clear. If you're a provider who's signed a contract with the state and are receiving vaccines, we expect you to be administering those doses quickly and as safely as possible. If this issue continues, the state will take possession of those doses and ensure that vaccinations continue."
Kemp said all nursing homes residents should be vaccinated by the end of the month.
Kemp said there are 1.3 million Georgians age 65 and older, plus an additional 536,000 health care workers, 120,000 doses each week.
The Governor mentioned a backlog in reporting from providers in getting their numbers to the CDC.
He said state plans more large-scale vaccinations sites similar to those which have been held in Athens, Atlanta, and Augusta.
