$96M in Federal Funding to Support Georgia's Vaccine Efforts

As part of the recently passed American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Georgia will receive $96 million earmarked to increase access to, and uptake of, vaccines against the coronavirus, especially in underserved communities.  Most of the money, which the CDC awarded this morning, must be used to support efforts at the local level, via health departments, community centers, and community organizations.  The funding also comes with rules regarding efforts to reach minority populations.  

Georgia's grant is part of an overall push to increase vaccination rates in 64 areas of the country using $3 billion of ARPA funding.  Approximately one-third of Georgia's adults have received at least one dose of vaccine, but the state lags other states in the rate of overall vaccinations.