The Georgia Department of Public Health has suspended Elberton Medical Center for six months from the state’s COVID-19 vaccination program for administering vaccines to those who are not yet eligible.
The DPH was notified on January 26 that the medical practice had vaccinated individuals in the Elbert County school district who were outside the current population of Phase 1A +. After an investigation, the DPH says it confirmed the information and suspended the facility.
During the suspension, the Elberton Medical Center could not receive new COVID-19 vaccine shipments, but could use the remaining vaccine stock for second doses.
Five other vaccine providers in Elbert County, including the Elbert County Department of Health, will continue to receive vaccinations.
The Medical Center issued a statement on social media on Thursday, saying, “We hope it is temporary and that the state of Georgia has appealed on the matter.”
Jon Jarvis, principal of Elbert County School, told WXIA-TV in Atlanta that many of the district’s more than 500 employees are eager to receive the vaccine.
“It’s hard to wear a mask if you want to teach students sounds,” Jarvis said. “The vaccination for teachers, bus drivers, school nutrition workers … should be considered in the first group, in my opinion.”
Those eligible to receive vaccinations under Phase 1A + include health workers, long-term care staff and residents, adults over the age of 65 and their carers, as well as first responders.
In a statement to the media, DPH defends its decision: “It is critical that DPH maintains the highest standards of vaccine liability to ensure that all federal and state requirements are met by all parties, and that vaccine is administered efficiently and equitably. . “
Some lawmakers in Georgia are pushing to expand the ability to include teachers. Georgia Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux on Wednesday letter to President Joe Biden, who urges him to give preference to the vaccination of teachers and school staff and to develop federal guidelines for testing, contact detection, masks and more.
More than a dozen school board members from districts across the Atlanta metro sent Kemp a similar message letter, which calls on the state to prioritize vaccines for school staff. Kemp says he shares their concerns and those of people with disabilities, but adds that there are simply not enough doses at the moment. to meet the demand.
This article has been updated to indicate that the Elberton Medical Center is a medical practice, not a hospital as previously identified
