Savannah Civic Center now open for COVID-19 vaccines
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTGS) — A new spot to go get your COVID-19 vaccine is now open in Savannah. This site is at the Civic Center downtown and is operated by Hospice Savannah.
Tiffany Fordham is the site's clinical director. She hopes the location and "walk-up" nature of the site will make it easier for people to roll up their sleeves.
RELATED: Savannah Civic Center will now serve as COVID-19 vaccination site
"We noticed that there was an accessibility issue. Not everybody can get to Gulfstream quickly. This clinic site specifically gives a chance to those walking in, who may be homeless and can’t get a ride, or those who just don’t want to drive out to Pooler and fight the traffic. This is such a centrally-located facility, everybody knows where the Savannah Civic Center is, and so it just makes it a one-stop shop for people in the area,” said Fordham.
Savannah-native Heather Brown came to the site on its opening day.
“I saw it, and thought, ‘I can go to the Civic Center and get my shot. They say they start today,” she said.
Brown came to get vaccinated with her three-year-old son by her side.
“I just need to get it for my son’s sake, and everybody else. My sake, I don’t want to get sick,” said Brown.
Appointments are recommended for this site, but you can also just walk in.
Once you fill out paper work, a staff member will direct you to one of the eight vaccine stations inside the arena, which are all spread apart for social distancing.
Most people will receive a Moderna shot. The site also has Johnson and Johnson doses, but are saving those shots for the homeless.
RELATED: Savannah homeless shelter remains closed until homeless become vaccinated
Second appointments are made right after the shot is given, and staff will ask you to wait 15 minutes before you leave.
Brown said she was nervous initially, but the shot wasn't as bad as thought it would be.
“I didn’t feel nothing. No pain, I just felt a little bit of sting. I feel fine. I feel safe now,” she said.
Leaders with Hospice Savannah said they’re able to give 1200 shots per day.
“We are here to respond to the needs of the community, so now we just need the community to come,” said Fordham.
The Civic Center site is located at 301 W Ogelthorpe Ave. It's open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
It will close for an hour long lunch break at 12:30 p.m. each day.
COVID-19 testing is also available at the Civic Center. Click here for the schedule.
RELATED: Mass vaccination site at Savannah Civic Center opening April 7
