Georgia\u2019s worst-in-the-nation status for COVID vaccination rate is a glaring hole in the state\u2019s fight against the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some hospital officials are pointing to trouble inputting data into the state immunization registry about shots that have been given. Gov. Brian Kemp<\/a> has talked about \u201ca significant underreporting\u2019\u2019 of how many vaccinations have been carried out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The problem is certainly not a lack of demand for vaccinations. In fact, the opposite is true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n County health departments are being overwhelmed by requests for the shots \u2013 so much so that Monday\u2019s official launch of vaccine availability for seniors, police, firefighters and first responders hit immediate snags.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A CDC website Monday showed Georgia with a vaccination rate for the initial dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at 1,346 per 100,000 residents, last among the states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hospital officials tell GHN that there are some problems working with the Georgia Registry of Immunization Transactions and Services, better known as GRITS, when it comes to reporting vaccinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kemp, expressing dismay Friday about the slow vaccine rollout in the state, said the reporting system used by Georgia \u201cis more workload, especially for our medical facilities and our hospitals.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n The state\u2019s Department of Public Health (DPH) told GHN on Monday that the agency \u201cis reaching out to health care<\/a> providers to remind them that the vaccine provider agreement requires them to report within 24 hours of administering vaccine,\u2019\u2019 i.e., giving a vaccination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Georgia law requires medical providers to report other immunizations (non-COVID) within 30 days after they have been done, said Public Health spokeswoman Nancy Nydam. \u201cThis may be a point of confusion for some providers who don\u2019t realize that the COVID-19 vaccine must be reported within 24 hours.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n Public Health said it\u2019s reviewing the vaccination reporting system to make sure all data entered is being captured. \u201cSome vaccine providers are new to the reporting system and have had issues navigating it,\u2019\u2019 Nydam said. \u201cDPH has contacted many providers to make sure they have the training they need to properly report vaccine administration.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n She also noted that the CDC reports data on a 72-hour delay basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, Monday\u2019s expanded eligibility has led to widespread consumer frustration and a call by health officials for patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Coastal Health District announced Monday that it has temporarily stopped taking COVID-19 vaccination appointments due to an \u201coverwhelming response\u201d from people in the expanded Phase 1A category. That\u2019s people over 65, firefighters, law enforcement officers and first responders.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHospital urge public understanding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n