Georgia Cuts Vaccines To Clinic That Gave Shots To Teachers

Residents wait in line to get coronavirus vaccines at a public health department vaccination center in Conyers, Georgia.

Ravi Nessman / Associated Press

Georgia officials have cut off COVID-19 vaccines to a rural medical practice that disobeyed state guidelines and vaccinated teachers from the local school system, underscoring Gov. Brian Kemp’s pledge to not let education employees cut in front of people who have been placed higher on the list to receive the vaccine.

The state Department of Public Health said it has suspended its supply of vaccines to the Medical Center of Elberton after the clinic supplied shots to employees of the 3,000-student Elbert County school district. Officials said about 40% of teachers, bus drivers and other employees have been vaccinated.

“It is critical that DPH maintains the highest standards for vaccine accountability to ensure all federal and state requirements are adhered to by all parties, and vaccine is administered efficiently and equitably,” Public Health spokeswoman Nancy Nydam wrote in an email.