First COVID-19 vaccines administered in Clarke County 1 year ago. Here’s where we stand now – Online Athens

Dec.18 marks the anniversary of the first COVID-19 vaccine administered in Clarke County.

One year later, nearly half the county is fully vaccinated:51% of the population has had at least one doseand 47% are fully vaccinated. Clarke County's vaccination rate islower than Georgiasat 52% full vaccinated.

As ofDec. 16, there have been 141,794 doses, including initial doses and follow-up, administered inAthens-Clarke County.

Booster shots became available for all adults in November.

The Georgia Department of Public Health reports that 20,433 additional doses have been administered in Athens, which includes the booster shotas well as a third dose in the primary vaccine series, which is for immunocompromised individuals.

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Of the number of fully vaccinated in the county, 34% have received additional doses. This is higher than Georgias rate, which currently sits at 26%.

At the time the vaccine was first administered in Clarke, there had been a total of 9,217 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 58 COVID-related deaths in Clarke County. As of Dec. 16, there have been 20,589 total antigen and PCR cases and 179 deaths.

In neighboring counties, Oconee County continues to surpass Clarke in its primary vaccine rates, with 65% of residents having had at least one shot and 61% fully vaccinated. But similar to Clarke, 35% of fully vaccinated Oconee residents have received an additional dose.

The COVID-19 vaccine also recently became available to those 5-12 years old.

In Clarke County, the least vaccinated eligible group are those five to nine years old; 20% of this group has had at least one dose of the vaccine. But that rate doubles to 41% at the next age group, which includes children age 10-14.

The vaccination rate then decreases when looking at those 15 to 19 years old who sit at 25% with at least one dose and those from 20 to 24 years old who have a vaccination rate of 24%.

Those 25 to 34 years old are 54% vaccinated with at least one dose and from there, the vaccine rate continues to climb with each increased age group.

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First COVID-19 vaccines administered in Clarke County 1 year ago. Here's where we stand now - Online Athens