Winter Weather Delays COVID-19 Vaccine Shipments To Georgia

Officials in Georgia say snowy and icy weather across much of the nation has “significantly” delayed shipments of COVID-19 vaccine to the state.

The Georgia Department of Public Health said in a statement that both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines that normally would have arrived the first part of this week were held back by the manufacturers due to the winter weather.

The agency said that as a result, health departments and other vaccine providers have been forced to reschedule appointments. When those shots can be administered will depend on when vaccine shipments resume and when they arrive in Georgia.

Officials said delays are expected to continue through the week.

Winter weather across the country impacting shipments of #COVID-19 vaccine to Georgia. @CDCgov sent notice that both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines that normally would have arrived the first part of this week were held back due to the weather. https://t.co/SEjHMmo5H8

— GaDeptPublicHealth (@GaDPH) February 17, 2021

Vaccine shipments have also been delayed to a large part of Alabama because the shipper, McKesson Corp., has weather-related problems at its terminal in Memphis, Tennessee, said Ryan Easterling, a spokesman with the Alabama Department of Public Health.

“Vaccine allocated to Alabama will be shipped when weather conditions allow, and clinics will be scheduled accordingly,” he said in an email.