Under Georgia COVID vaccine rules, what qualifies as a high-risk health condition?

A worker from the Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale County Health of Department changes a sign giving appointment times Monday, March 8, 2021 at Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth. (PHOTO/Daniel Varnado)

Credit: Daniel Varnado

Credit: Daniel Varnado

A worker from the Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale County Health of Department changes a sign giving appointment times Monday, March 8, 2021 at Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth. (PHOTO/Daniel Varnado)

Georgia will expand the eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines on Monday, March 15 to include people 55 and older, in addition to those with a “high-risk condition” as defined by the CDC.

These high-risk conditions include people who have cancer, heart conditions and obesity. Also included are women who are pregnant.

According to information posted Wednesday on the Georgia public health website, those at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 include those with:

  • Asthma
  • Cancer
  • Cerebrovascular Disease
  • Chronic Kidney Disease
  • COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Cystic Fibrosis
  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • Heart Conditions
  • Immunocompromised State
  • Liver Disease
  • Neurologic Conditions
  • Overweight and Obesity
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis
  • Sickle Cell Disease
  • Thalassemia (a blood disorder)

Gov. Brian Kemp said Wednesday the expanded list of eligibility for COVID vaccines in Georgia will cover categories that account for 92% of all Georgia’s death due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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