FULTON COUNTY COVID-19 VACCINE AVAILABILITY & SIGN UP PROCEDURES
There is growing anxiety, frustration and sometimes anger regarding the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine and how to sign up for an appointment. I have fielded numerous calls and emails and have responded to everyone with the limited information that is made available to me and my staff.
The lack of communication on the vaccine process and the inability to receive a response via phone or email has greatly frustrated me as well, and I am working to ensure that it improves as the roll-out moves forward. The leadership of the Fulton Board of Health has indicated that they recognize the communication challenges and are making improvements.
Please know that while we expect to see great improvements in vaccine supply, information and distribution, this is an unprecedented effort and will take time to perfect. Also, know that the Fulton Board of Health is just one of 1,500 plus enrolled vaccine providers. More providers such as Publix, Kroger, doctors' groups and others are coming on-line and the collective effort of many providers will ultimately support this massive and critical effort.
On a very positive note, the Fulton Board of Health is maximizing getting vaccines out and I am hearing from many of you who have been able to receive vaccines and report that you had a good experience. Of the 21,000 vaccines received, the Board of Health has administered 82% of their allotment as of the end of the day Monday. Comparatively, per Fulton’s Director of Public Health, while the Fulton Board of Health had delivered 17,150 doses during that period of time, the DeKalb BOH has delivered 8,000 doses and Gwinnett BOH, 10,000.
I share with you the very latest information from the Fulton Board of Health on vaccine availability, appointment sign up and administration, and the process for the second dose follow up. My goal is to answer as many questions that you may have and ask for your continued patience.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
I begin by reminding you that we are in Phase 1a of vaccine distribution in Fulton County, as quantities of the vaccine are still limited. To ensure the vaccine is distributed fairly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Georgia Department of Public Health have established priority groups based on risk of exposure and the potential health impact of COVID-19. Only people in the approved priority group can receive the vaccine at this time.
Please review the following pyramid to see when you are eligible to sign up and receive the vaccine. Information will be shared as soon as we establish timeframes for the future phases of distribution.
VACCINE AVAILABILITY AND ADMINISTRATION
17,500+ vaccines administered, 82% of those received
Current capacity: 1,500/day; goal 3,300/day, 16,500/week by February 1, 2021
Administered at following locations with additional sites to be added: 4700 North Point Parkway in Alpharetta, Mercedes Benz stadium, Wolf Creek Amphitheater, Aviation Center on Fulton Industrial Boulevard
Local fire departments, including Roswell and Sandy Springs, providing EMTs and other resources to assist with vaccine administration
Hospitals, medical offices, CVS/Walgreens and local pharmacies also providing vaccines and there are efforts to expand outreach
SCHEDULING A VACCINE APPOINTMENT
Scheduling an appointment for the COVID-19 has been the biggest frustration for all of us since the vaccine became available. Efforts are underway to improve the process, including adding 30 staff members at the Fulton County Board of Health call center and providing a link to sign up online for a vaccination.
Sign up to get your name on the wait list; IMPORTANT: You may be on the wait list for several weeks based on vaccine availability.
Notices will be sent to you via email with a link to schedule your appointment, based on the order in which you joined the list. Please monitor your email carefully. It may take several weeks before you receive this notification.
Once contacted via email, you will have an opportunity to sign up online. Remember you must also meet the qualifications of Group 1A to schedule your vaccine appointment, even if you receive an email about available appointments.
PLEASE NOTE: If you receive an appointment at another venue, please call the County to remove your name from the waiting list as appointments are valuable and another resident can take your slot.
NON-INTERNET/PHONE USERS
Call the COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 404-613-8150, weekdays 8 am 5:30 pm;Despite expanded staff, call volume is high at peak times. If you are not able to get through, please try again later.
Speak with call taker and add your name to the wait list
Customers on wait list will be called for appointment, when they become available; it may take several weeks before an appointment is scheduled
Call center staff will schedule your appointment
SECOND DOSE APPOINTMENTS
Those of you who were fortunate to receive the first round of COVID-19 vaccine now have concerns about the second dose and want to assure you receive it. We have a roadmap to ensure the second vaccines are administered and within the timeframe the manufacturers recommend.
Everyone who received the vaccine from the Fulton County Board of Health through January 19, 2021 will be contacted -- via phone or email -- to schedule their second appointment.
Those who schedule their first appointments through their employer -- for example, a healthcare organization, public safety agency or school system -- will be scheduled for their second appointment through those agencies.
Beginning January 20, 2021, second appointments will be scheduled at the time of the first appointment.
VACCINE INFORMATION LINKS
Fulton County Board of Health
Sign up for email notification of appointment availability and regular email updates
