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Canton, GA — The Cherokee County Health Department COVID-19 vaccination clinic will move to Canton First Baptist Church next week.

The department will begin operating the clinic at the church, located at 1 Mission Point in Canton, starting next Monday, February 1, from 8 AM to 3:30 PM each Monday through Friday.

The new location will replace the COVID-19 vaccination clinic currently located at the health department’s Woodstock health center. The vaccine will still be offered at no out-of-pocket expense at the new location. Insurance will be billed, but only if it is available. There will be no expense to any client. Anyone who does not have insurance will not be billed for the vaccination.

UPDATE Thurs., Mar. 25: COVID-19 Testing at MAKO Medical sites in Dalton and Woodstock had to close early today due to weather but will reopen tomorrow at 8 AM. Learn more about Free Testing and how to register below.

North GA — As public health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield counties complete the shift from COVID-19 testing to COVID-19 vaccine distribution, MAKO Medical is contracted to provide *Free COVID-19 Drive-thru Testing in the North Georgia Health District, beginning Monday, January 25.

MAKO Medical COVID-19 TESTING site locations and operating times will be as follows:

Woodstock First Baptist Church
11905 Highway 92, Woodstock, GA 30188
(Please enter via Trickum Rd/Gunnin Rd entrance)
Starts 1/25: Mon – Fri, 8 AM – 3 PM
 

and at

Edwards Park
115 Edwards Park Entrance, Dalton, GA 30721
Starts 1/27: Mon – Fri, 8 AM – 3 PM

 

TTest Results QR Code 300he test is a nasal swab test to determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Testing results will be available within 48 hours. This is not an antigen or antibody test.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED at https://mako.exchange/splash/GAmakotesting/.

*Insurance will be accepted, if available.

For more information about COVID-19 in North Georgia, log onto our website at www.nghd.org.

Covid 19 Registration Instructions web

This is for the 1st Dose. If you have not yet received an appointment for the 2nd Dose, please call the county health department where the 1st dose was given. Click the LOCATIONS tab above to find our county health department phone numbers.

Covid 19 Registration Form Icon

FREE COVID-19 Testing in North GA Schedule Week of Jan 18

LEARN MORE ABOUT FREE COVID-19 TESTING IN NORTH GEORGIA HERE.

*ALL Georgians age 12 and older are Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine. **Pfizer is the only vaccine authorized for children 12 and older and they must have parental consent to be vaccinated.
Walk in to a Public Health COVID-19 Clinic in North Georgia, or register for an appointment atgta-vras.powerappsportals.us or by calling 1-888-457-0186.
 
 

 

North GA — Following the first round of COVID-19 vaccines we administered beginning last December tobigstock Doctor drawing up Covid vac 368578954 large 580x387 thousands of healthcare workers, medical first responders, and long-term care facility residents and staff in North Georgia, the North Georgia Health District (1-2) expanded its vaccination program to reach more and more members of the community. Now, over 100,000 residents have been vaccinated at COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics operated by public health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield counties.

*Georgia Eligibility is open for everyone 12 years of age and older for the COVID vaccine.

Note: Pfizer is the only COVID vaccine currently approved for children ages 12 through 17.**

**Pfizer COVID vaccine is offered when available at some of our county health departments' COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics; however, it is most reliably available at our COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics in Cherokee, Pickens and Whitfield counties.

Everyone who is eligible for the vaccine may walk in without an appointment to a public health COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens or Whitfield county, or they may register for a COVID-19 vaccination appointment at gta-vras.powerappsportals.us or call 1-888-457-0186.

“Since we began our COVID-19 vaccination campaign in this health district on December 18th, our county health departments have vaccinated some of the most critically vulnerable people in our communities,” said Zachary Taylor, M.D., M.S., interim health director of the North Georgia Health District, based in Dalton. “Now we want to rapidly and effectively administer COVID-19 vaccine to even more members of our community.”

At present, health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield counties have responded to an overwhelming demand to provide over 160,000 COVID-19 vaccinations (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) to residents. Residents may also wish to see if their private physician is a COVID-19 vaccine provider.

To find additional COVID-19 Vaccine information and other locations where the vaccine is available in Georgia, go to the Georgia Department of Public Health website at https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-vaccine.

COVID REG SCHED ON HOLD BANNERbigstock Doctor drawing up Covid vac 368578954 large 580x387North GA — Following the first round of COVID-19 vaccines administered to over 1,900 healthcare workers, medical first responders, and long-term care facility residents and staff in North Georgia, the North Georgia Health District (1-2) expanded its vaccination program to reach more members of the community.

Governor Brian Kemp and Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner Kathleen Toomey, M.D., M.P.H., announced plans on December 30, 2020 to add adults aged 65 and older, law enforcement officers, firefighters and first responders to the current group of individuals eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccination. Healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities and their staff were already in this highest priority group.

As of Monday, January 11, 2021, COVID-19 vaccinations are available to these groups of individuals during the expanded Phase 1-A of the Georgia COVID-19 Vaccination Plan:

  • Staff in clinical settings (e.g., physicians, nurses, pharmacists, EMS, laboratory staff, environmental services). 
  • Residents and staff at long-term care facilities who have been unable to get vaccinated. 
  • All adults 65 years of age or older and their essential caregivers, and law enforcement and fire personnel.

“Since we began our COVID-19 vaccination campaign in this health district on December 18th, our county health departments have vaccinated some of the most critically vulnerable people in our communities,” said Zachary Taylor, M.D., M.S., interim health director of the North Georgia Health District, based in Dalton. “Now we want to rapidly and effectively administer COVID-19 vaccine to even more members of our community.”

At present, health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield counties have responded to an overwhelming demand to provide several thousand COVID-19 vaccinations (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) to residents. However, due to this high demand, our vaccination appointment schedules are currently at full capacity. We apologize for this inconvenience, but all our current vaccine stock is committed to existing appointments. We urge residents who are eligible for the vaccine but have not yet registered for an appointment to monitor our website and social media pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates as additional appointment times become available. All existing appointments are still valid.

 

To find additional COVID-19 Vaccination Sites in the area, go to the Georgia Department of Public Health website at https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-vaccine. Residents may also wish to see if their private physician is a COVID-19 vaccine provider.

 

Information about Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine can be found on the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/Pfizer-BioNTech.html.

 

Information about Moderna COVID-19 vaccine can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/Moderna.html

Please see below if you are currently eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. If so, starting Thursday, January 8 in the North Georgia Health District, you may receive an appointment for vaccination at your county health department through our Call Center, toll-free, at 1-888-881-1474. Beginning Monday, January 11, you also have the option to make an appointment by clicking the link listed by your county name below. You must preregister for an appointment in the county where YOU LIVE OR WORK. No one can be vaccinated without an appointment. 

Cherokee: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it./bookings/

Fannin: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it./bookings/

Gilmer: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it./bookings/

Murray: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it./bookings/

Pickens: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it./bookings/

Whitfield: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it./bookings/

 

As of Monday, January 11, 2021, COVID-19 vaccinations will be available to these groups of individuals during the newly expanded Phase 1-A of the Georgia COVID-19 Vaccination Plan:

 

  • Staff in clinical settings (e.g., physicians, nurses, pharmacists, EMS, laboratory staff, environmental services). 
  • Residents and staff at long-term care facilities who have been unable to get vaccinated. 
  • All adults 65 years of age or older and their caregivers, and law enforcement and fire personnel.

Focus to Shift from Testing to Vaccinating

COVID Testing North GA 2NORTH GA– In response to the upcoming expansion of eligibility for COVID-19 vaccination in Georgia, county health departments in North Georgia Health District 1-2 will transition their focus from COVID-19 testing to meeting an increased demand for COVID-19 vaccinations.

Beginning January 11, testing will be offered at health departments in Fannin, Gilmer, Murray and Pickens counties Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM for symptomatic first responders, school employees and court staff. In Cherokee and Whitfield counties, COVID-19 testing will continue to be provided to anyone who needs it Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 11 AM, but by appointment only. To make an appointment for testing in Cherokee and Whitfield counties, call 1-888-881-1474.

This change will help meet the need to provide vaccines to a much larger portion of residents during the COVID-19 vaccination phases identified by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Residents should monitor the North Georgia Health District website at www.nghd.org for further updates and announcements regarding COVID-19 testing in North Georgia.

Beginning January 11, adults 65 years of age and older will be included among those who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Phase 1-A (refer to phases below), based on vaccine availability. Please watch for announcements containing instructions on where and how to get vaccinated on our here on our website, our social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and in the local media.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccine in Georgia at https://dph.georgia.gov/press-releases/2020-12-30/more-georgians-become-eligible-receive-covid-19-vaccine.

DPH COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Planbigstock Doctor drawing up Covid vac 368578954 large 580x387

Georgia is currently in Phase 1: Limited COVID-19 Vaccine Availability

Phase 1-A

Phase 1-A includes (*as of the date of this press release) paid and unpaid persons serving in a healthcare setting who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials. Hospital staff, public health clinical staff, EMS, and other first responders, long term care facility (LTCF) staff, and urgent care facility staff are examples of people who will be included in this phase.

Additional examples include:

  • Staff in clinical settings (e.g., physicians, nurses, pharmacists, EMS, laboratory staff, environmental services, LTCF staff etc.)
  • LTCF Residents
Georgia Vaccine Plan

Follow the plan for distribution and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine in Georgia.

COVID-19 Vaccine Plan (1.24 MB)

*Beginning January 11, all adults 65 years of age and older, law enforcement and fire personnel.

Phase 1-B

Phase 1-B will include other essential workers and people at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness.

Examples of people that will be included in this Phase are listed below:

  • Critical workforce employees (e.g., pharmacy staff, educational faculty and staff, correctional facility staff, court employees, food processors, grocery store workers, transportation staff, nuclear power plant employees, air traffic controllers, etc.) 
Phase 1-C

Phase 1-C will include people at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness, not vaccinated during Phase 1-A or Phase 1-B.

Examples of this population include:

  • Other essential workers
  • Adults below age 65 with significant comorbidities

Focus to Shift from Testing to Vaccinating

COVID Testing North GA 2NORTH GA – In response to the upcoming expansion of eligibility for COVID-19 vaccination in Georgia, county health departments in North Georgia Health District 1-2 will transition their focus from COVID-19 testing to meeting an increased demand for COVID-19 vaccinations.

Beginning January 11, testing will be offered at health departments in Fannin, Gilmer, Murray and Pickens counties Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM for symptomatic first responders, school employees and court staff. In Cherokee and Whitfield counties, COVID-19 testing will continue to be provided to anyone who needs it Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 11 AM, but by appointment only. To make an appointment for testing in Cherokee and Whitfield counties, call 1-888-881-1474.

This change will help meet the need to provide vaccines to a much larger portion of residents during the COVID-19 vaccination phases identified by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Residents should monitor the North Georgia Health District website at www.nghd.org for further updates and announcements regarding COVID-19 testing in North Georgia.

Beginning January 11, adults 65 years of age and older will be included among those who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Phase 1-A (refer to phases below), based on vaccine availability. Please watch for announcements containing instructions on where and how to get vaccinated on our here on our website, our social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and in the local media.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccine in Georgia at https://dph.georgia.gov/press-releases/2020-12-30/more-georgians-become-eligible-receive-covid-19-vaccine.


DPH COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Planbigstock Doctor drawing up Covid vac 368578954 large 580x387

Georgia is currently in Phase 1: Limited COVID-19 Vaccine Availability

Phase 1-A

Phase 1-A includes (*as of the date of this press release) paid and unpaid persons serving in a healthcare setting who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials. Hospital staff, public health clinical staff, EMS, and other first responders, long term care facility (LTCF) staff, and urgent care facility staff are examples of people who will be included in this phase.

Additional examples include:

  • Staff in clinical settings (e.g., physicians, nurses, pharmacists, EMS, laboratory staff, environmental services, LTCF staff etc.)
  • LTCF Residents

Georgia Vaccine Plan

Follow the plan for distribution and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine in Georgia.

COVID-19 Vaccine Plan (1.24 MB)

  • *Beginning January 11, all adults 65 years of age and older, law enforcement and fire personnel.

Phase 1-B

Phase 1-B will include other essential workers and people at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness.

Examples of people that will be included in this Phase are listed below:

  • Critical workforce employees (e.g., pharmacy staff, educational faculty and staff, correctional facility staff, court employees, food processors, grocery store workers, transportation staff, nuclear power plant employees, air traffic controllers, etc.)

Phase 1-C

Phase 1-C will include people at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness, not vaccinated during Phase 1-A or Phase 1-B.

Examples of this population include:

  • Other essential workers
  • Adults below age 65 with significant comorbidities

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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.