COVID-19 Vaccine

Vaccine Distribution

Vaccine distribution is a critical part of Emory’s plan to maintain campus health and safety. University leaders and public health experts have developed a set of principles to guide Emory’s distribution efforts. Aligned with the CDC and Georgia Department of Public Health, these principles set forth how Emory University works within Georgia’s phased rollout to distribute the vaccine.

Vaccine supply is very limited. Public health departments are scheduling vaccines by appointment only, as are most other providers. The Georgia Department of Public Health is currently administering COVID-19 vaccine in phase 1A+.

University faculty, staff, and learners whose status qualifies them for the vaccine as part of the phase 1A+ distribution have already or will shortly receive an invitation to be vaccinated. This includes clinical-facing students in the School of Medicine, School of Nursing, and Allied Health programs. Emory will continue to follow distribution guidelines based on CDC and state guidelines and supply and capacity.

Vaccine Administration in Georgia

We are in phase

1A+

  • Health care workers including nurses, physicians, EMS, laboratory technicians, environmental services
  • Long-term care facilities (LTCF) staff and residents
  • Adults 65+ and their caregivers
  • Law enforcement, fire personnel (including volunteer fire departments), dispatchers, 9-1-1 operators

1B

  • Essential workers (non–health care) who perform job tasks across critical infrastructure sectors, ensuring continuity of functions critical to public health, safety, economic and national security

1C

  • Persons aged 16–64 with medical conditions that increase the risk for severe COVID-19

Equity Statement: In each population group, vaccine access will be prioritized geographically, based on vaccine accessibility, disease burden, and risk associated with socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity, and geographic location. Final populations are dependent on approved EUA guidance and ACIP vaccine eligibility recommendations (e.g., children and pregnant women).

Georgia Department of Public Health
Biweekly Community Updates

Emory will host a series of presentations on the following dates to keep the community informed of COVID-19 vaccine updates.

 Access the Live presentations

Vaccine FAQs

1.12.21: The state of Georgia currently operates across three phases of vaccination priorities, each subject to modification by the state. We are currently in phase 1A+, which includes health care workers; long-term care facilities staff and residents; law enforcement, fire personnel, dispatchers, and 9-1-1 operators; and adults 65+.

Please Note: Each phase is subject to modification by the state. We are currently in phase 1A+ of this process, which was recently expanded to include adults 65+. Phase 1B includes essential workers (non–health care), and the state includes educators among this group. We are working to better understand if and how this designation applies to Emory’s community in advance of this group’s eligibility.

2.3.21: In accordance with CDC and Georgia Department of Public Health guidelines, current vaccine eligibility through Emory Healthcare includes those who are health care employees and providers, first responders, clinical researchers working with patients and researchers working with live COVID virus, Emory Healthcare patients who are residents of long-term care facilities, and Emory Healthcare patients who are 65 years of age or older and their caregivers, if dependent. More information can be found here: https://www.emoryhealthcare.org/covid/covid-vaccines-faq.html#five

1.12.21: The state of Georgia determines how and when eligibility is expanded for future phases. Emory Healthcare will distribute its vaccine allocation to members of the Emory community as quickly as possible based on the state’s tiering guidance and vaccine availability.

1.12.21: Based on phased rollout and vaccine availability, members of Emory University will receive an email message from Emory Healthcare via the HOME system. HOME is a web-based tool/portal that allows Emory employees to easily manage occupational health requirements and make appointments. Emory students will also be notified through the HOME system.

Please Note: Emails from the HOME system are labelled: [External] from noreplywebchart@med-web.com. The email will include instructions for you to complete a vaccination consent form before you can schedule your appointment. If you are eligible based on the current phase and have not received an email, please check your junk or clutter folders. 

Find the step-by-step guide for the home registration process

1.12.21: Yes. We will continue to alert eligible members of our community of their status, and we encourage you to get vaccinated through Emory Healthcare or elsewhere based on availability.

1.12.21: Vaccine availability is subject to change based on supply at the state and federal levels. Please note, however, that both vaccines are equally effective and have been through the same rigorous safety protocol.

We do not have plans to mandate a vaccine for the Emory University community. Before taking such a step we would establish a formal process for collecting staff and provider feedback as well as conduct an ethics review. However, we are hoping that with additional education and public health promotion, members of our community will voluntarily take the vaccine to protect themselves, their loved ones, and our community.

While we don’t know exactly when enough vaccine will be available to broadly vaccinate university faculty, staff, and students, we will follow CDC and state department of public health guidelines:

  • Health care personnel likely to be exposed to or treat people with COVID-19, which includes Student Health Services
  • First responders: Emory Police Department, Environmental Health and Safety Office, etc.
  • Other workers performing essential functions: Building and Residential Services, Facilities Management, animal care, research, etc.
  • All other populations

Yes. The data for how well the vaccines work is based on having both doses.

  • We don’t know whether the vaccine would work as well (or at all) with a single dose.
  • It is incredibly important that anyone who receives the first dose is committed to complying with the second dose.
  • We will work during scheduling to make sure you have both appointments and get reminders. 

  • Getting a vaccine series does NOT mean one can stop wearing a mask or stop physical distancing practices. No vaccines are 100 percent effective.
  • Everyone should continue to follow masking, physical distancing, and hand hygiene guidelines for the foreseeable future.