Beginning Wednesday, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium mass COVID-19 vaccination site will expand capacity and the amount of doses it can give out.
The expansion comes on the heels of Gov. Brian Kemp announcing that all Georgians over the age of 16 will be eligible for the vaccine this week.
The massive site in Atlanta will be going from one “pod” to six and will be open seven days a week. It will be able to give up to 42,000 vaccinations a week over the next two months. The stadium, near two MARTA stops, with free parking, won’t require any ID or insurance. It also will open weekends and later hours, till 10 p.m. two nights a week. “Our primary focus with this location is vaccine equity and ensure in next weeks ahead local residents who want vaccination is able to receive one,” said FEMA Acting Administrator Robert Fenton.
Channel 2 Action News spoke to one man who said with the new eligibility expansion, he’s had a change of heart and now he’s ready to get vaccinated.
“I was kind of skeptical at first, but you know, I have like, looked more into it. And I want to get it now,” said Jesus Barraza of Hall County.
The 21-year-old is eligible to get vaccinated Thursday.
Barraza said having a social life again is one of the reasons he’s rushing to get an appointment.
“My mom’s considered a high risk person. She has diabetes. So you know, that’s one, second of all, I want to get back to like, you know, normal,” Barraza said.
More than 1 million Georgians are fully vaccinated and nearly three quarters of seniors have already received at least one dose and expects supply to increase.
Kemp said the state is monitoring vaccine supply across Georgia.
“Appointments will no doubt be hard to find in certain regions of our state. We will continue to shift doses to the areas of highest demand as we have over the last few weeks,” Kemp said.
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