THE LATEST: General public could begin receiving vaccine in March in Georgia

The state of Georgia has administered more than 17,000 vaccines, according to a new dashboard on the Department of Public Health’s website.

Between the two approved vaccines, Moderna and Pfizer, Georgia has been allocated to receive nearly 200,000. The addition of the Moderna vaccines that are on their way now will allow for those in more rural areas to receive the vaccine, according to DPH Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey. Because the Pfizer vaccines must be stored in ultra-cold freezers, they were allocated for larger, more urban hospitals.

“With the Moderna vaccine, we can literally cover the state with vaccinations and we’re excited to begin that process,” Toomey said.

[SPECIAL SECTION: COVID-19 Vaccine in Georgia]

Georgia is currently in distribution phase 1A, which includes half-a-million healthcare workers as well as all residents and staff in long term care facilities.

Gov. Kemp said nursing home patients should start getting their vaccines on Monday.

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Toomey said the state expects to complete Phase 1A around the end of January. They would then begin Phase 1B, which includes essential workers, first responders and people over the age of 65 with comorbidities.

The general public may not get the vaccines until March, Toomey said. The state plans to use mass vaccination sites, pharmacies, grocery stores and primary care physicians who enroll in the program to help get the vaccines to as many Georgians as possible.

“We’re going to use as many different venues as we can and many different parties as we can to cover the state,” Toomey said.

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Here is the latest on the vaccine distribution in Georgia:

Metro doctors feel like they are pitted against each other in getting COVID-19 vaccine