Metro Atlanta hospitals receive Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

CONYERS, Ga. - The first metro Atlanta COVID-19 hospital vaccinations took place Thursday, as the number of infections becomes more widespread across Georgia.

"Since our fight with COVID-19 really began incredibly over 9 months ago...the people of Georgia have certainly felt the effect of a once in a century global pandemic," Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said during a press conference Thursday afternoon at Grady Memorial Hospital.

One hundred healthcare workers at Piedmont Rockdale Hospital in Conyers were first vaccinated at a local hospital. Other local hospitals, such as Grady, started to get their vaccine shipments Thursday. The governor said this is a major step in fighting the virus and fully restoring the state's economy.,

"This sobering reality has been no more evident than in our hospitals and what these folks have been dealing with literally every day. For months on end, countless doctors, nurses, healthcare staff, they all have made an incredible sacrifice on behalf of their fellow Georgians," the governor said.

Thursday, confirmed COVID-19 cases hit the second-highest daily total with 5,890 reported, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. The state also set a record for hospitalizations at 3,237.

During a press conference at Grady Memorial Hospital Thursday afternoon, Governor Brian Kemp described this as a medical miracle and said it will be all hands on deck to distribute this statewide but an interesting quote he says right now the focus is on vaccinating the vaccinators. And that’s exactly who they started with.

Long-time Grady ICU nurse Norma Poindexter was the first at the hospital to receive the vaccine. She’s been on the frontlines of the pandemic all year. 

"It feels like a lightness in everyone’s mind as we recognize that there is a light at the end of the tunnel," said Georgia Department of Public Health commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey. "This has been a very long year. It’s been hard for everyone in Georgia but particularly for and shout out to all the health care professionals."

Dr. Toomey was next to receive the vaccine during the press conference. At the time, she could barely control her excitement in receiving the vaccination.

"I am thrilled that I can be among some of the frontline workers who will be vaccinated today because this will be the tool that helps us get through the pandemic. But we need everyone’s help," Dr. Toomey said. "This vaccine is safe, it’s effective and it will be the tool we have to finally be able to get back to what we think about as our Georgia lifestyle." 

Governor kemp said this is just a start. The next step will be figuring out how to distribute the vaccine safely and smoothly across Georgia.

"I know life is anything but back to normal, but we still have a long way to go to beat this virus. Make no mistake, thanks to the incredible work done by the Trump administration, Operation Warp Speed, and partners in the private sector, we now have hope on the horizon," Gov Kemp said. "The work done to develop the vaccine has been nothing short of a medical miracle. This vaccine is safe, it is effective, and now on the way to the people of this great state."

This comes as cases are up in the state and as Georgians approach the holidays just next week there’s a concern on the further spread.

"As we approach Christmas and the bouts of the holiday season, it is important that the people of Georgia remain vigilant," Gov. Kemp said.

The Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale Health Department was the first in the metro area to distribute the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, as the director and a handful of staff were vaccinated Wednesday. 

Fulton County received its first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine by 10:30 a.m. Thursday, according to the Board of Health. The vaccine arrived at FCBOH’s District Health Office located in downtown Atlanta.

THE LATEST ON THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE

As of Wednesday, confirmed and suspected infections had averaged more than 6,100 over the previous week, the first time that the rolling average had exceeded 6,000. At the beginning of November, Georgia was averaging fewer than 2,000 infections a day.

"They reflect our highest case numbers ever, and are not decreasing or leveling off day-to-day," the department said.

The report recorded 130 distinct outbreaks last week, up more than 10% from the week before. The top locations for case clusters remained nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, schools, workplaces, and prisons and jails.

"These outbreaks are occurring in settings where people are physically congregating and underscore the need for physical distancing and source control," the department said.

About 13% of molecular PCR tests are coming back positive for the virus, the highest level since late July, and a number that indicates widespread community transmission.

Statewide, 17 hospitals on Wednesday were diverting medical or intensive care patients, or both, according to the Georgia Coordinating Center, which tracks hospital capacity.

Kemp stated the next challenge will be to safely and smoothly deliver vaccinations across the state.

"This is going to be a heavy logistical lift for the state. We have never undergone such a large mass vaccination in our history," Kemp said Thursday.

Next week the state is expected to receive an additional 60,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

The newly approved Moderna vaccine anticipated chipping 174,000 doses to the Peach State next week.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.