Georgia lags in vaccinations: Clinch at 20 percent
Clinch County is one of the best of one of the worst at vaccinating against COVID-19.
According to data from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), a little over 20 percent (20.3) of Clinch County’s residents are fully vaccinated. That percentage is on the high end for area counties, but still below the state average – 34.8 percent. Nationwide, Georgia is ranked 45th out of 50 states for being fully vaccinated. Vermont is first, with 64 percent, while Mississippi is last, at 28.8 percent. Currently, the nationwide rate of being fully vaccinated is 45 percent, with 53.3 of U.S. residents having received at least one dose of the vaccine, according to the CDC.
In the area, only Brooks County (21.1 percent) has a better percentage of its residents fully vaccinated than Clinch. Atkinson County only has 4.9 percent of its citizens vaccinated, according to CDC data. Others in the area (with their percentages of being vaccinated) are: Berrien (11 percent); Charlton (4.7 percent); Echols (8.1 percent); Lowndes (17.6 percent); and Ware (14.7 percent).
According to the CDC, 25 percent of Clinch Countians have received at least one dose of the vaccine (1631 people).
State and national health care officials are urging citizens to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. They say the more people aren’t vaccinated, the higher likelihood for COVID-19 surges, hospitalizations and deaths. Clinch County has had 741 positive cases of COVID since the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020. In the past two weeks, nine new cases have been reported in Clinch County, according to the state Department of Public Health. The COVID-19 virus has claimed the lives of 25 Clinch Countians since March of last year, according to DPH figures.
According to the CDC, there are several local places where vaccines are in stock. Walgreens in Homerville has the vaccine. Stop by the pharmacy on North Church Street in Homerville to set up an appointment. The vaccine is also available currently at Lakeland Drugs in Lakeland, Kroger and Walmart in Waycross, and Walmart and Publix in Valdosta, among other locations.
