Atlanta – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is announcing the allocation of Merck
and Pfizer oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19 to select retail pharmacies in Georgia. Initial
supply of Molnupiravir and Paxlovid™ from the federal government is very limited. DPH anticipates
additional allocations in the coming weeks as production increases.

Per guidance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), initial allocations
were made to federal pharmacy partners. DPH has partnered with Walmart, Walgreens, and Good
Neighbor Pharmacy Group (a group of small independent pharmacies) to ensure coverage across
the state. Pharmacies currently allocated treatments can be found on the DPH website at
https://dph.georgia.gov/document/document/covid-19-oral-antiviral-pharmacy-locations/download
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization for molnupirvar
by Merck and an emergency use authorization for Paxlovid™ by Pfizer as oral antiviral treatments
of COVID-19. Early studies indicate these treatments may reduce severe outcomes from COVID19

including hospitalization or death. The antivirals are recommended for treatment of individuals
who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 or have underlying medical conditions. Both drugs
require a prescription and should be initiated as soon as possible after diagnosis of COVID-19 and
within five days of symptom onset.

While antivirals may help treat COVID-19, vaccination is the best prevention against COVID
infection. Georgians aged 5 and older are eligible for vaccination. Georgians 16 and older are
eligible for boosters six months after completing their primary vaccine series of either Moderna or
Pfizer (only Pfizer is authorized for booster doses in 16- and 17- year-olds) and two months after
their J&J vaccine. To find a COVID vaccination location, visit https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-vaccine.
Basic prevention measures should also be followed to help prevent further spread of COVID and
mitigate outbreaks of infection, especially in public settings: wear a mask, physically distance, and
wash your hands frequently with soap and water.

For updates on COVID-19, follow @GaDPH and @GovKemp on Twitter and @GaDPH and
@GovKemp on Facebook.
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Press Release