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    See Our Vision & Mission

  • May is Hepatitis Awareness Month

    Take the Call to Action for Hep A, B, and C!

  • School Health Requirements

      Our Health Departments Provide School Health Requirements

  • RSV Vaccine

    RSV Vaccine Now Available for Adults 60+ at our Health Departments

  • COVID CENTRAL

    COVID CENTRAL: Find Out All About COVID-19 in North Georgia

  • Free Hypertension Services

    Free Hypertension Services Offered to Eligible Whitfield County Residents

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  • MPOX (MONKEYPOX)

    MPOX (MONKEYPOX) - Find Access to Vaccine & Testing in North GA     

  • LARC

    LARC - Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives Available for Women

  • Opioid & Substance Misuse

    Check out our Opioid & Substance Misuse Response Program

  • Babies Can't Wait Staff

    Our Babies Can't Wait Staff Receive Honors

  • ROLLINS EPIDEMIOLOGY AWARDS

    NGHD STAFF BESTOWED ROLLINS EPIDEMIOLOGY AWARDS

  • IMMUNIZATION CHAMPIONS

    DISTRICT HONORED AS IMMUNIZATION CHAMPIONS

RECENT NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

677 Shots Drive thru Banner 2024 945 x 115 pxVer opción en Español en la parte superior de esta página

North Georgia – This fall, the annual Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinics successfully immunized *677 residents against the flu. This initiative provides vital protection and plays a critical role in curbing the spread of the virus within families and communities.

Since the inception of the Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics districtwide in 2007, the North Georgia Health District's Emergency Preparedness team, along with dedicated nurses and Infectious Disease specialists, have joined forces with the Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield County Health Departments to make flu shots accessible and convenient. These drive-thru clinics offer a unique opportunity for community members to receive vaccinations while allowing health officials to refine their emergency response strategies for vaccine distribution during public health crises.

Local partners—ranging from law enforcement to Emergency Management Agencies, Emergency Medical Services, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), businesses, and first responders—have rallied together to ensure the success of this initiative. The collaborative effort underscores the importance of community engagement in safeguarding public health.

Flu vaccines are widely available throughout the region, with options at doctors’ offices, pharmacies, and grocery stores. Additionally, every county health department within the North Georgia Health District offers flu shots at little to no cost, depending on individual healthcare coverage. No appointment is necessary during regular clinic hours, making it easier than ever to protect yourself and your loved ones.

The Georgia Department of Public Health reminds residents that flu symptoms can vary greatly and may include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue. Vulnerable populations—including those aged 65 and older, individuals with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, and young children—are at heightened risk for serious flu-related complications.

To further combat the flu and other viruses, the public is encouraged to adopt the following preventive measures:

  • Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the elbow to prevent germ spread.
  • Avoid touching your face to minimize the risk of infection.
  • Steer clear of close contact with anyone showing symptoms of illness.
  • Regularly clean and disinfect commonly-touched surfaces.
  • Stay home if experiencing flu-like symptoms and remain isolated for at least 24 hours after a fever subsides without medication.

For comprehensive information about influenza, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at http://www.cdc.gov/flu.

To learn more about flu vaccines, discover our local public health services (including influenza vaccines and other preventive vaccinations), or locate your nearest county health department in the North Georgia Health District, visit our homepage at www.nghd.org. Together, let's keep our communities healthy and thriving this flu season!

 

*Of the 677 residents vaccinated this year at the Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics in North Georgia, the county health departments provided the following doses:

   Cherokee County.......  92

   Fannin County.......... 110

   Gilmer County............ 61

   Murray County......... 123

   Pickens County............  55

   Whitfield County......... 236

*** The North Georgia Health District and each County Health Department wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all media, community partners, and businesses who help promote and support our annual Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics... Thank you! ***

Please note the photos below that were taken at the Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics. To view and download high-resolution versions, please click directly on each photo.
 
County and district Public Health staff armed residents against the flu at the Murray County Health Department Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinic
Mur 3
County and district Public Health staff armed residents against the flu at the Murray County Health Department Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinic
 
County and district Public Health staff armed residents against the flu at the Murray County Health Department Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinic
 
Cher Nancy Holly SpringsNancy of Holly Springs received her flu shot from Pam Graham, RN, at the Cherokee County Health Department's Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinic
Patricia Padgett, joined by Charles Padgett, was vaccinated by Beneta Haywood, RN, at the Fannin County Health Department's Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinic in Blue RidgePatricia Padgett, joined by Charles Padgett, was vaccinated by Beneta Haywood, RN, at the Fannin County Health Department's Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinic in Blue Ridge
Whit IMG 8001Maria Ramos of Dalton armed against the flu at the Whitfield County Health Department's Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinic

Pic ShotJoan Rutledge of Jasper received a flu vaccination from Tara Ellis, RN, at the Pickens County Health Department's Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinic!

GilCounty and district Public Health staff protected residents at Gilmer County Health Department's Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinic

Ver opción en Español en la parte superior de esta página

The North Georgia Health District is part of the Georgia Department of Public Health. This District is comprised of six counties including Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield. Many programs and services exist throughout the district, all of which are designed to meet the needs of the people of North Georgia.

Our Vision

Our vision for the North Georgia Health District is healthy people, families and communities.

Our Mission

Our mission is to promote and protect the health of the people in the North Georgia Health District wherever they live, work and play, through population-based preventive programs including:

  Prevention of epidemics and the spread of disease
  Protection against environmental hazards
  Injury prevention
  Promotion and encouragement of healthy behaviors
  Responding to disasters and assisting communities to recover
  Assisting communities in assessing the quality and accessibility of health services.