The Fulton County Board of Health, with Fulton County Government, the Atlanta Fulton Emergency Management Agency and the City of College Park, will open a new vaccination site at the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC) starting Tuesday, Feb.16. The GICC is the second largest convention center in the state.
This new site will take the place of the Aviation Cultural and Community Center vaccine site serving as the Fulton County vaccine site serving South Fulton. The much larger GICC will allow for expanded vaccination services as supplies of the vaccine increase in coming months.
“We are grateful to the City of College Park for helping us expand our vaccine program deeper into South Fulton,” said Lynn Paxton, M.D., M.P.H., district health director, Fulton County Board of Health. “Our goal is to ensure that every Fulton County resident who wants to be vaccinated has that opportunity over the coming months.”
Currently Georgia residents who are in Phase 1A+ are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This includes residents age 65 and over and their caregivers, first responders, healthcare workers, and residents and staff of long-term care facilities.
“The City of College Park is proud to partner with Fulton County to make COVID-19 vaccinations more accessible for residents of the entire south Fulton region. As we continue to fight this disease, vaccines are a vital tool to improve the health, welfare and safety of our residents. I want to thank the Fulton County Board of Health, Dr. Lynn Paxton, the County Commissioners and all of the dedicated staff of the City of College Park who made this a reality,” said College Park Mayor Bianca Motley Broom.
“Equity is the cornerstone of all programming at Fulton County, and that includes geographic equity,” said Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts. “When this issue was raised among our mayors last week, we immediately followed up with Mayor Motley Broom to take advantage of her generous offer for use of GICC. This short turnaround is a testimony to our commitment to serving all Fulton County residents.”
Appointments are required to receive a vaccination. Due to extremely limited supplies, there is currently a wait time of several weeks for a vaccine appointment.
All residents who were previously scheduled to visit the Aviation Cultural Community Center starting Feb.16 will instead be scheduled at the GICC. Parking will be provided at no charge.
Fulton County residents can learn more about vaccine program and appointments at www.fultoncountyga.gov/covidvaccine or by calling the Fulton County COVID-19 Hotline 404-613-8150.