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Now, during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it's time to learn what to do to prevent breast cancer and how to detect it early for ourselves or for someone we love.

Breast cancer, the 2^nd most common cancer among women after skin cancer, is when cells in the breast grow out of control. Finding breast cancer early is critical because it’s easier to treat.

Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women, and as a related consequence, there are men and children whose lives are forever impacted because their wife, mother, aunt, niece, grandma, sister, sister-in-law, mother-in-law has breast cancer.  Men can also be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Public health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties are working especially hard during the month of October to call attention to this disease that has affected so many and to encourage early detection.

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UPDATE, 10-22-2021: The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and health districts throughout Georgia will begin offering booster doses of Moderna and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID vaccine Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, pending guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These boosters are in addition to previously approved booster doses of Pfizer vaccine. Click HERE to see the Georgia DPH announcement.

For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial 2-dose series:

• 65 years and older
• Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
• Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
• Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk setting  

For people who received the J&J COVID vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.

Sign up for the virtual Prevent Trauma: THE ROAD AHEAD on October 21st! Connecting Teens, Parents & Educators to sources for safely navigating the road ahead together. Scan QR code or go to www.surveymonkey.com/r/TeenDriver2021 

ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) will follow the guidance and recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) for COVID vaccine booster shots.

The recommendations for COVID vaccine booster shots are:

• • People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series   
  • People aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series
  • People aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks
  • People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.

Only the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine has been authorized as a booster dose, and the above recommendations will only apply to individuals who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for their primary series.

Currently, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is awaiting recommendations from the CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) before releasing a plan to administer booster doses of Pfizer COVID vaccine in Georgia. The FDA’s discussion and review of data about the need for COVID vaccine boosters is a first step in the process; the same questions will be considered by ACIP during meetings currently scheduled for Sept. 22-23. When CDC/ACIP provide recommendations and guidelines for booster shots, DPH has the inventory to quickly ramp up access to Pfizer COVID vaccine statewide.

We will notify the public about when and where booster shots are available and who will be eligible as soon as we receive word - go HERE for the latest Update. Please monitor the news section of our website, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram.

Ellijay, GA – This year’s DRIVE-THRU FLU SHOT CLINIC conducted by Gilmer County Health Department is Thursday, October 7th from 8 am to 1 pm at the ETC Pavilion in Ellijay. You’ll remain safely in your vehicle while driving through to get your flu shot from public health staff wearing COVID-19 protective gear. The shot is no-cost if covered by one of several health plans. If paying out of pocket, the cost is still relatively low at $25 for regular flu vaccine and $65 for high dose flu vaccine for people aged 65 and older. Both vaccines guard against 4 different strains of flu. Cash, checks, Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana and United Healthcare Insurance will be accepted. The ETC Pavilion is at Legion Road, Ellijay, GA 30540. Call (706) 635-4363 for more information and log onto bit.ly/DriveThruBeatFlu_NorthGA about this and other Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics being held this fall in North Georgia!

DUE TO THE RISK OF HAZARDOUS WEATHER CONDITIONS, THIS CLINIC WAS POSTPONED TO OCTOBER 13TH AND MOVED TO THE WHITFIELD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT. PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR RESCHEDULE INFORMATION.

DUE TO THE RISK OF HAZARDOUS WEATHER CONDITIONS, THIS CLINIC WAS POSTPONED TO OCTOBER 19TH AND MOVED TO THE CHEROKEE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT WOODSTOCK HEALTH CENTER. PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR RESCHEDULE INFORMATION.

Jasper, GA – This year’s DRIVE-THRU FLU SHOT CLINIC conducted by Pickens County Health Department is Tuesday, September 28th from 9 am to 2 pm at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Jasper! You’ll remain safely in your vehicle while driving through to get your flu shot from public health staff wearing COVID-19 protective gear. The shot is no-cost if covered by one of several health plans. If paying out of pocket, the cost is still relatively low at $25 for regular flu vaccine and $65 for high dose flu vaccine for people aged 65 and older. Both vaccines guard against 4 different strains of flu. Cash, checks, credit cards, Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Coventry, Humana and United Healthcare Insurance will be accepted. Mt. Zion Baptist Church is at 1036 North Main Street, Jasper, GA 30143. Call (706) 253-2821 for more information and log onto bit.ly/DriveThruBeatFlu_NorthGA about this and other Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics being held this fall in North Georgia!

Chatsworth, GA – This year’s DRIVE-THRU FLU SHOT CLINIC conducted by Murray County Health Department is Tuesday, September 28th from 8 am to 3 pm at the Murray County Parks and Recreation Department! You’ll remain safely in your vehicle while driving through to get your flu shot from public health staff wearing COVID-19 protective gear. The shot is no-cost if covered by one of several health plans. If paying out of pocket, the cost is still relatively low at $25 for regular flu vaccine and $65 for high dose flu vaccine for people aged 65 and older. Both vaccines guard against 4 different strains of flu. Cash, check, Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana and United Healthcare Insurance will be accepted. The Murray County Parks and Recreation Department is at 651 Hyden Tyler Road, Chatsworth, GA 30705. Call (706) 695-4585 for more information and log onto bit.ly/DriveThruBeatFlu_NorthGA about this and other Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics being held this fall in North Georgia!