January 19, 2021 – Since January 11, the effective date of Governor
Kemp’s expansion of the COVID-19 vaccine beyond health care workers
and long term care facility residents, Southeast Georgia Health System
has administered nearly 4,000 vaccine doses.
“We are very pleased at the response of our team members and community
to receive the vaccine,” says
Michael D. Scherneck, president and CEO. “The vaccine offers the opportunity to stop
the spread of COVID-19, so of course we want as many people as possible
to get it. It’s our goal to provide no less than 2,500 vaccines
per week as long as we continue to receive supplies. Our team members
are working tirelessly to call and schedule people as quickly as we receive
the vaccine, guide them through the process and administer vaccines. It
takes an incredible amount of planning and coordination to make the process
as efficient as possible, and I’m very proud of them and how well
it is going.”
Since receiving its initial vaccine supply in late-December, the Health
System has received a total of 5,421 Pfizer-BioNTech doses and 2,500 Moderna
doses. Following CDC guidelines, after offering the vaccine to its highest-risk
team members (those who have the most contact for the longest period of
time with COVID patients), the Health System began offering the COVID-19
vaccine to Phase 1A+, which includes police officers, firefighters, first
responders, and high-risk individuals age 65 and over and their caregivers.
“We recognize that there are many people in our community who wish
to receive the vaccine and, as more supplies become available, we will
work diligently to ensure that everyone who desires a vaccine can receive
one,” says Scherneck. “We know many of you are anxious but
we ask you to be understanding. The availability is dependent on the vaccine
supplies we receive. Our team is on top of it, they’re placing the
orders. We just need to receive the supplies and as soon as we do, people
will be able to schedule appointments for a vaccine.”
Scherneck added that once additional vaccine supplies are received, the
Health System will activate its online vaccine appointment scheduler at
sghs.org/covid-19. Appointments will be available in Brunswick or Kingsland, but will be
subject to change based on the Health System’s vaccine supply. Individuals
must bring their Medicare card and a form of identification, wear a shirt
that gives access to the upper arm and wear a mask. Following the vaccination,
recipients will be required to remain in an observation area for 15 minutes
to ensure they do not experience any adverse reaction. Recipients must
also be available for a second dose 21 or 28 days later, depending on
the type of vaccine received.
“We continue to treat COVID-19 patients every day, and it’s
not just elderly patients,” Scherneck says. “We have 30 and
40 year olds with COVID-19 on our critical care unit. People who probably
thought that they wouldn’t be affected by the virus because they
were young and healthy and now they’re fighting for their lives.
Now is not the time to let down our guard. We have to get ahead of this
terrible virus. Even after receiving the vaccine, it remains extremely
important to continue following safety protocols. Wear a mask, social
distance, wash your hands and avoid large gatherings for the health and
safety of all of us.”
Updated vaccine information will be available on the Health System’s
website at
sghs.org/covid-19.