- Written by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
- Category: Media Releases
Joint Statement from HHS Public Health and Medical Experts on COVID-19 Booster Shots
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Contact: Media Relations
(404) 639-3286
Today, public health and medical experts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the following statement on the Administration’s plan for COVID-19 booster shots for the American people.
The statement is attributable to Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Dr. Janet Woodcock, Acting Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration (FDA); Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General; Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH); Dr. Anthony Fauci, Chief Medical Advisor to President Joe Biden and Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID); Dr. Rachel Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health; Dr. David Kessler, Chief Science Officer for the COVID-19 Response; and Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, Chair of the COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force:
“The COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States continue to be remarkably effective in reducing risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, even against the widely circulating Delta variant. Recognizing that many vaccines are associated with a reduction in protection over time, and acknowledging that additional vaccine doses could be needed to provide long lasting protection, we have been analyzing the scientific data closely from the United States and around the world to understand how long this protection will last and how we might maximize this protection. The available data make very clear that protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection begins to decrease over time following the initial doses of vaccination, and in association with the dominance of the Delta variant, we are starting to see evidence of reduced protection against mild and moderate disease. Based on our latest assessment, the current protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death could diminish in the months ahead, especially among those who are at higher risk or were vaccinated during the earlier phases of the vaccination rollout. For that reason, we conclude that a booster shot will be needed to maximize vaccine-induced protection and prolong its durability.
- Hits: 3680
- Written by Jennifer King, District Public Information Officer
- Category: Press Room
UPDATE for FREE Testing In Ellijay: Site is Moving as of Monday, Aug. 30th
Para leer este mensaje en Español, haga clic en 'Español' en la parte superior de esta página a la derecha
Ellijay, GA – Since MAKO Medical began Free COVID-19 Drive-thru Testing at the Gilmer County Health Department on August 18th, hundreds of residents have received testing at the new site. Now, to better facilitate testing, the site will move from the health department to a new location and the hours of operation will slightly change.
Please note the following updated MAKO Medical COVID-19 Drive-thru Testing site and hours of operation in Ellijay, as of Monday, August 30th:
This is PCR testing done by nasal swab to determine the presence of the virus that causes COVID-19. The operation in Ellijay is the third MAKO Medical testing site established in North Georgia through a partnership with the Georgia Department of Public Health. The other two testing sites in North Georgia operated by MAKO are in Dalton and Canton.
Anyone who has COVID-19 type symptoms or has been in close contact recently with a person infected with the virus needs to be tested for COVID-19, even if they are fully vaccinated. There are no eligibility requirements other than having a Georgia address and registering online at https://mako.exchange/splash/GAmakotesting/ (PLEASE REGISTER ONLINE AT THIS LINK FOR TESTING - ONLY USE THE PHONE NUMBER PROVIDED AT THE MAKO WEBSITE AS A LAST RESORT -- pre-registration is preferred, however, anyone who does not have access to the internet or is not able to navigate the online registration form can be registered by staff onsite at the MAKO Medical testing location).
Log on here to the North Georgia Health District website at https://nghd.org/news/media-releases/free-covid-19-testing-available-in-north-georgia for more information.
- Hits: 6641
- Written by Georgia Department of Public Health
- Category: Media Releases
NEWS RELEASE FROM THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Atlanta – Following the FDA’s authorization of an additional COVID vaccine dose for immunocompromised individuals, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is now recommending that certain patients with weakened immune systems receive an additional dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine. The recommendation does not include J&J vaccine recipients at this time.
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is awaiting guidance from the CDC that clearly defines what conditions make an individual eligible for an additional dose of vaccine. Once those conditions are known, DPH will establish statewide protocols for health departments administering additional doses of COVID vaccine. Until then, DPH will hold off on administering third doses.
Patients seeking additional doses of vaccine should contact their healthcare provider for guidance and recommendations.
For information about COVID vaccines or to schedule a vaccination appointment visit dph.ga.gov/covid-vaccine.
For updates on COVID-19, follow @GaDPH and @GovKemp on Twitter and @GaDPH and @GovKemp on Facebook.
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- Hits: 1992
- Written by Jennifer King, District Public Information Officer
- Category: Public Service Announcements
For Murray County Residents 18 years of age and older!
Starts Tuesday, August 10th!
Para leer este mensaje en Español, haga clic en 'Español' en la parte superior de esta página a la derecha
Chatsworth, GA – Murray County residents ages 18 and older who are still not protected with COVID-19 vaccine now have an extra incentive to Get Vaccinated! Starting Tuesday, August 10th, they will be offered a Walmart $10 Gift Card for each dose of COVID-19 Vaccine received at the Murray County Health Department. For the single dose J&J vaccine, two $10 Gift Cards will be given while supplies last. Murray County Health Department is located at 709 Old Dalton-Ellijay Road in Chatsworth. NO Appointment is needed. WALK-INs are Welcome! Eligible Murray County residents are urged: Protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community from COVID-19 and the rapidly spreading Delta variant. Get Vaccinated at the Murray County Health Department and receive that extra “Thank You” with Walmart $10 Gift Cards – accepted at all Walmart locations!
Log onto the North Georgia Health District website at www.nghd.org for more information about COVID-19 as well as health department hours and services.
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