Georgia health officials want more millennials to get vaccinated

ATLANTA — President Joe Biden’s administration will announce this week that a COVID-19 booster shot could be available by the end of the year. This will be offered to anyone who’s been fully vaccinated for at least eight months.

State officials like the commissioner, Dr. Kathleen Toomey, said the focus is on getting more people vaccinated, especially millennials.

“We’re seeing increases among younger people than we saw before — the highest rates yet than we’ve ever had among individuals that are 30, 40 years old,” said Toomey.

There are people who have different opinions about getting the vaccine.

“I don’t trust it. That’s basically it. I don’t trust it or the government,” said Mickey Smith.

Smith is not alone. The numbers from the state’s Department of Health show that only 42% of Georgians are fully vaccinated.

“Because I think the mask is the most important thing, because you can transmit and you can pick up and give with the vaccination. And the mask was working before the vaccination,” said Melba Jones.

TRENDING STORIES:

• Georgia hits milestone 1 million COVID-19 cases since start of the pandemic
• Investigators searching for person of interest in arson at popular restaurant
• Cobb school bus drivers receiving hefty bonus after working during the pandemic

Jones said she has no plan to get the vaccine.

Toomey said let Washington do what it needs to do while she focuses on keeping Georgians from getting sick.

“We want to do everything we can to keep people away from emergency rooms that are overwhelmed right now,” said Toomey.

Metro Atlanta pharmacies see surge in patients looking for booster shots Metro Atlanta pharmacy owner Dr. Jonathan Marquess reports a surge in patients looking for booster shots

©2021 Cox Media Group