We’re just days or weeks away from the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to be distributed in Georgia and across the country.

Governor Brian Kemp will hold a news conference Tuesday afternoon updating the public on how the state is preparing for the massive operation.

>>Stay with 95.5 WSB for more on this developing story, and be sure to download the WSB Radio App to enable alerts for live updates.

Dr. Kathleen Toomey, with the Georgia Department of Public Health, will join him in a news conference at 1 p.m. We’ll carry that live in the WSB Radio App and below.

Overnight Tuesday, the first people in the U.K. received the first COVID-19 vaccine, which has been described as a turning point in the pandemic.

“I feel so privileged to be the first person vaccinated against COVID-19,” said 91-year-old Margaret Keenan, a former jewelry shop assistant, who wore a surgical mask and a blue Merry Christmas T-shirt decorated with a cartoon penguin wearing a Santa hat and red scarf. “It’s the best early birthday present I could wish for because it means I can finally look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the New Year after being on my own for most of the year.”

Health officials in Georgia said they are in high demand as millions of people will be heading into doctor offices, clinics and other health departments to receive the vaccine.

“We should be prepared for an influx of work,” said Dr. Sharmon P. Osae.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended healthcare workers and long-term nursing home residents be the first to receive the vaccine, once it is approved and becomes available.

>>Read more here.

Cox Media Group