State’s largest vaccine site now taking walk-up customers

ATLANTA — Since the opening of public health vaccine sites around the state of Georgia, we’ve been told officials were requiring anyone looking to get vaccinated against COVID-19 needed to schedule an appointment.

Beginning Sunday morning, at the state’s largest site, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta you can now walk up and get the Pfizer vaccine.

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While the department of public health says roughly 20% of Georgia’s population has now been vaccinated, federal officials say that number still lags behind most of the country.

Health officials are hopeful that allowing walk-ups at their busiest site will help those numbers quickly increase. Dr. Gary Voccio with the DPH’s northwest district says the goal is still to get enough people vaccinated to reach “herd immunity”.

“We’re still a long way from herd immunity. Georgia lags behind the rest of the country in vaccines,” said Voccio.

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Emily Ekanayake lives in Cobb County and has already been vaccinated. She wants others to get their shots so that she and her friends can do things as a group again.

" I am not changing the way that I’m doing things until more people are vaccinated or until my children are vaccinated. But I do feel more protected,”. said Ekanayake. “We want to have fun and be back together. And this is our way to do it.”

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If you want to get vaccinated at “The Benz”, Fulton County Public Health officials say you need to go to Gate 1 at the stadium to check in. Anyone over the age of 16 is welcome.

You’ll be able to park for free at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, in the Silver, Red and Orange lots.

If you are coming for your second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, it’s required that you have waited 21-days since your initial shot. You’ll need to bring the vaccination card from the first dose to verify your information.

The site hours for the coming week are:

• Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday: 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• Monday April 19: 2 p.m.-10 p.m.
• Wednesday April 21: 9:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
• Friday April 23: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

The vaccine is offered at no charge. Insurance is not required, but residents who are insured are encouraged to bring their insurance information.

Appointments are still required at all other Fulton County vaccination sites at this time.

People lining up for COVID-19 vaccine on 1st day of expanded eligibility