Georgia Governor Brian Kemp says he is committed to ensuring equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in underserved communities across the state.
While attending a roundtable discussion at Morehouse School of Medicine on Wednesday, the republican Governor acknowledged a disparity in the minority and underserved populations and that COVID-19 disproportionally impacts African Americans.
Morehouse School of Medicine President Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice hosted the roundtable with Gov. Kemp, Dr. Kathleen Toomey, State Representative Calvin Smyre, top health officials and local elected officials. The focus was to discuss the steps being taken to improve vaccine availability and acceptance in minority communities.
During the discussion, Kemp also added that he is committed to ensuring that minority communities have access; however, the state is still facing "vaccine hesitation" among minorities.
Dr. Rice insisted that African Americans have moved from "vaccine hesitancy to vaccine acceptance." She added, "if you put the vaccination sites in the right community, you will get people of color being vaccinated." Dr. Rice also shared that the current vaccination site at Morehouse School of Medicine has 8,000 people on the waiting list, 1,200 people have been vaccinated, and 68.8% are African American.
Union City Mayor Vince Williams said that "access is key," and "the current mega site at the Mercedes Benz stadium is great, but it is not accessible for my people who live in Union City, Fairburn, and College Park." This is why he says a mega vaccination site will be open starting February 16th at the Georgia International Convention Center. Williams added, "the site is great, but if they don't have the vaccine, that's a problem.
A shortage of vaccines is a significant hurdle across the nation. In Georgia, Governor Kemp shared during the discussion that 1.2 million people, which includes 520,000 seniors and 91.1%, have received first doses. Kemp says the data is a good indicator of progress, considering what has been given. Problems with access and hesitation are still a hurdle for people of color. The Governor suggested that the new one-shot vaccine from Johnson and Johnson may be a viable solution once approved by the FDA.
According the CDC, African Americans are more likely to be impacted by the virus, increasing the urgency to ensure access to the vaccine.