ATLANTA – State Representative Winfred Dukes (D-Albany) today issued the following statement to strongly encourage citizens in House District 154 to participate in receiving a COVID-19 vaccination when it becomes available to the general public:
“I am inspired by and have confidence in the doctors and scientists who are working on the development and administering the vaccine, and especially all of the front-line health care heroes who have taken it so far.
“I represent a community that was one of the first and hardest hit by COVID-19 in Georgia, but this vaccine is a small ray of hope. We have lost too many of our loved ones. Black communities across our state and nation have been devastated. We, in Dougherty County, know this first-hand. This vaccine is a chance for us to save lives and bring an end to this pandemic.
“This vaccine is a giant step in the direction to contain the virus and get us back to a normal life. Our in-person family interactions, outings, work environments, employment opportunities, safe travel and reopening of schools, businesses and churches all depend on achieving immunity to this virus. Many of us had to miss out on our traditional Thanksgiving, Christmas and holiday gatherings for fear of illness or unwittingly passing the disease to our most beloved and vulnerable citizens. The recovery and sustainability of our economy is extremely vital to our communities in Albany. There are critical economic benefits of achieving herd immunity as soon as possible, so we can get back to a full economy.
“We have to be prepared for the opportunities that will come under the new Biden-Harris administration. Our president-elect is inspiring confidence by taking the vaccine and making the eradication of the disease a number one priority. Biden has called for $25 billion in vaccines to ensure they are cost-free for all Americans. In his first 100 days in office, the president-elect’s priorities will be navigating the destruction caused and issues raised by the pandemic on a domestic and global scale. His overall focus is health, jobs and justice.
“The 2021 legislative session of the General Assembly swiftly approaches, and I do not know how the legislative session will look. As long as we are stuck in the confusion and uncertainty of this virus, we will continue to be plagued with fear, apprehension and mental strain in our daily lives.
“Along with the vaccine, please continue to follow CDC recommendations to wear your masks, wash your hands and practice social distancing for now. I am taking the vaccine as soon as I possibly can because it is essential in stopping the virus. I hope you will, too.”
On December 11, 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization for use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in persons aged 16 years and older for the prevention of COVID-19. One week later, the FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization for the use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for use in individuals 18 years of age and older. Groups considered for early vaccination if supply is limited includes the following: health care personnel, workers in essential and critical industries, people at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness due to underlying medical conditions and people 65 years and older.
Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease, diabetes and organ transplants may have higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19. As of Dec. 23, there have been more than 581,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases, and the virus has contributed to more than 9,500 deaths and more than 39,800 hospitalizations in Georgia.
For more information on COVID-19 vaccinations from the Georgia Department of Public Heath, please click here.
Representative Winfred Dukes represents the citizens of District 154, which includes Baker, Miller and Seminole counties and portions of Dougherty County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1996 and currently serves on the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Economic Development & Tourism and State Planning & Community Affairs committees. He is a member of the Working Group on Creative Arts & Entertainment.
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