ATLANTA — Georgia’s public health agency is awaiting federal recommendations before setting its own COVID-19 vaccination policy but is willing to “play a larger leadership role” if there are disagreements, the state’s top health official said Tuesday.

Georgia might have to set its own course and priorities and “ensure that accurate information is out” if it disagrees with pending guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its advisors, state Public Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey told the Georgia Board of Public Health at their September meeting.

If federal leadership is “absent” on the vaccination question, she said, “we have to step up and make sure that the public is being served.”

Toomey’s message was delivered as reassurance after misgivings were expre

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