A COVID-19 Vaccination Update from Georgia

Nationwide, the vaccination rollout has been uneven.

The vaccine rollout in Georgia has been relatively successful thus far, although it is an evolving and ongoing process, as with most states. Per Phase 1A of the state vaccine rollout, only adults 65 and older, their caregivers, healthcare workers, employees at long-term care facilities, police officers, firefighters, and paramedics are being vaccinated.

More than one and a half million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered across the state, with roughly two million Georgians currently still eligible who have yet to be vaccinated.

Georgia has requested over six million vaccine doses, and at this time, just over 2.1 million have been designated for the state from the federal government. As of Feb. 15, a total of 1.9 million doses have been shipped to medical facilities in the state of Georgia.

Once a medical facility is accepted as a vaccine provider, the facility then requests the number of doses they need, based on the community they serve. As Georgia is designated more vaccines by the federal government, the state then allocates them down to the provider level. According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, more than 1,900 providers are enrolled to administer the vaccine in the state at this time.

The Department recently began publishing a detailed vaccine dashboard on its website. The dashboard breaks down both statewide and individual county vaccine numbers, and provides a complete list of Georgia vaccine providers.

With respect to rates for COVID-19 vaccines and certain monoclonal antibodies, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website provides updates on Medicare Part B payment. CMS has also made resources available for providers and insurers to assist in the efficient and proper administration of COVID-19 vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. CMS resources were created to help increase the number of providers that can administer the products and ensure adequate reimbursement for Medicare administration.

Georgia Rates:

For additional detail on payment allowances and effective dates, providers are encouraged to visit the CMS website and review the COVID-19 provider toolkit.