Photo by Eric Jens, Risk Communicator, Division of Communications, Georgia Department of Public Health

North GA – The North Georgia Health District received the 2019 Darrell Enfinger Golden Bulldog Award at this year’s Georgia Department of Public Health Emergency Coordination Meeting held in mid-November in Savannah.

Named after emergency preparedness manager, Darrell Enfinger, who accepted the inaugural Golden Bulldog honor in 2017 on behalf of the West Central Health District based in Columbus, this award recognizes the public health district that excels in supporting other health districts and emergency partners in times of disaster.

Over the years, North Georgia Health District deployed nursing strike teams to shelters and provided emergency preparedness staff and other resources, as needed, in response to disasters in Georgia.

Public health nursing strike team members who have been deployed from the district to hurricane relief shelters include Angela Blevins, Holli Collier, Cheri Holden, Sherry Gregory, Debbie York, Doreen Andrews, Pamela Graham, Denise Bowman, Leslie Abreu, Ellie Purdy, Sigrid Thomason and Jamie Henley.

District emergency preparedness team members who have provided incident command assistance to public health staff manning hurricane response emergency operation centers include David Huskey, Larry Staton, Darryl Camp and Lana Duff.

The health district has also provided cots, trailers and other items that were needed to supply emergency shelters throughout the state.

The North Georgia Health District is proud to be the recipient of the 2019 Darrell Enfinger Golden Bulldog Award and of the dedicated public health employees who made it possible.

For more information about how the North Georgia Health District responds to disaster and assists in preparing individuals, families and our communities for emergencies, log onto nghd.org/district-programs/ep.

Photo by Eric Jens, Risk Communicator, Division of Communications, Georgia Department of Public Health

North GA – The North Georgia Health District received the 2019 Darrell Enfinger Golden Bulldog Award at this year’s Georgia Department of Public Health Emergency Coordination Meeting held in mid-November in Savannah.

Named after emergency preparedness manager, Darrell Enfinger, who accepted the inaugural Golden Bulldog honor in 2017 on behalf of the West Central Health District based in Columbus, this award recognizes the public health district that excels in supporting other health districts and emergency partners in times of disaster.

Over the years, North Georgia Health District deployed nursing strike teams to shelters and provided emergency preparedness staff and other resources, as needed, in response to disasters in Georgia.

Public health nursing strike team members who have been deployed from the district to hurricane relief shelters include Angela Blevins, Holli Collier, Cheri Holden, Sherry Gregory, Debbie York, Doreen Andrews, Pamela Graham, Denise Bowman, Leslie Abreu, Ellie Purdy, Sigrid Thomason and Jamie Henley.

District emergency preparedness team members who have provided incident command assistance to public health staff manning hurricane response emergency operation centers include David Huskey, Larry Staton, Darryl Camp and Lana Duff.

The health district has also provided cots, trailers and other items that were needed to supply emergency shelters throughout the state.

The North Georgia Health District is proud to be the recipient of the 2019 Darrell Enfinger Golden Bulldog Award and of the dedicated public health employees who made it possible.

For more information about how the North Georgia Health District responds to disaster and assists in preparing individuals, families and our communities for emergencies, log onto nghd.org/district-programs/ep.

 Spread Good Cheer for the Holidays, NOT the Flu! 

Don’t fall victim to the flu this year, North Georgians – vaccinate before it’s too late! This holiday season, the North Georgia Health District encourages all residents 6 months of age and older to get a yearly flu vaccine.

Take time this season to schedule an appointment with your public health department in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens or Whitfield County to get your flu vaccine or contact your health care provider. Flu shots are NO or LOW cost at our health departments, depending on your healthcare plan. If paying out of pocket, the regular flu shot at our county health departments is $25 and protects against four separate strains of flu. The high dose flu shot for people 65 and over is $65. Call your local county health department for details - just click above for contact information.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way to protect against influenza is to receive an annual flu vaccine for yourself and for your family.

What is new this flu season?  

• Flu vaccines have been updated to better match circulating flu viruses
• Any licensed, age-appropriate flu vaccine is recommended
• Ask your health department (above) or health care provider about what vaccine is right for you Influenza can be a serious disease that leads to hospitalization and sometimes death.

Regardless of race, age, gender or ethnicity, anyone can get sick from the flu. Those especially at risk are adults 65 years of age and older, children younger than 5, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or other long-term medical conditions. A flu vaccine is the best protection against the flu. With flu season beginning as early as August and sometimes lasting until May, it is never too late to vaccinate.

The recent National Influenza Vaccination Week (Dec. 1-7) emphasized the importance of receiving an annual flu vaccination. Even healthy children and adults can get very sick from the flu. This winter, make it a top priority to call your county health department or health care provider and make an appointment to get vaccinated. For more information on immunization, visit the Georgia Department of Public Health website at dph.georgia.gov/influenza-what-you-need-know.

 Spread Good Cheer for the Holidays, NOT the Flu! 

Don’t fall victim to the flu this year, North Georgians – vaccinate before it’s too late! This holiday season, the North Georgia Health District encourages all residents 6 months of age and older to get a yearly flu vaccine.

Take time this season to schedule an appointment with your public health department in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens or Whitfield County to get your flu vaccine or contact your health care provider. Flu shots are NO or LOW cost at our health departments, depending on your healthcare plan. If paying out of pocket, the regular flu shot at our county health departments is $25 and protects against four separate strains of flu. The high dose flu shot for people 65 and over is $65. Call your local county health department for details - just click above for contact information.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way to protect against influenza is to receive an annual flu vaccine for yourself and for your family.

What is new this flu season?  

• Flu vaccines have been updated to better match circulating flu viruses
• Any licensed, age-appropriate flu vaccine is recommended
• Ask your health department (above) or health care provider about what vaccine is right for you Influenza can be a serious disease that leads to hospitalization and sometimes death.

Regardless of race, age, gender or ethnicity, anyone can get sick from the flu. Those especially at risk are adults 65 years of age and older, children younger than 5, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or other long-term medical conditions. A flu vaccine is the best protection against the flu. With flu season beginning as early as August and sometimes lasting until May, it is never too late to vaccinate.

The recent National Influenza Vaccination Week (Dec. 1-7) emphasized the importance of receiving an annual flu vaccination. Even healthy children and adults can get very sick from the flu. This winter, make it a top priority to call your county health department or health care provider and make an appointment to get vaccinated. For more information on immunization, visit the Georgia Department of Public Health website at dph.georgia.gov/influenza-what-you-need-know.

North GA – It’s that time of year again, north Georgians — flu season. As family and friends gather for the holidays, flu activity is increasing. Anyone still unvaccinated should get a flu vaccination right away.

December 1-7, 2019 is this year’s National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIIW) in which health officials highlight the importance of being vaccinated against the flu during the holiday season and beyond. This week serves as a reminder that anyone who can be vaccinated should do so to protect as many people as possible against flu. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccination every season.

Since this past August, public health staff in the North Georgia Health District have given over 7,440 flu vaccinations, and doses are still available at public health departments in these North Georgia counties:

Cherokee County: 1219 Univeter Road, Canton, GA 30115, (770) 345-7371 and 7545 North Main Street, Suite 100, Woodstock, GA 30188, (770) 928-0133

Fannin County: 95 Ouida Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513, (706) 632-3023

Gilmer County: 28 Southside Church Street, Ellijay, GA 30540, (706) 635-4363

Murray County: 709 Old Dalton-Ellijay Road, Chatsworth, GA 30705, (706) 695-4585

Pickens County: 60 Health Way, Jasper, GA 30143, (706) 253-2821

Whitfield County: 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton, GA 30720, (706) 279-9600

Flu vaccine is no cost at county health departments in North Georgia for anyone under an acceptable health insurance plan such as Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna, Anthem BlueCross BlueShield, United Healthcare, and others. For those without insurance coverage, the cost is still relatively low. The regular flu shot is $25 and the high-dose flu shot recommended for people ages 65 and older is $65.

There are many reasons to get a flu vaccination.

Flu vaccine can reduce a person’s risk of flu illness, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu. Even if a vaccinated person still gets sick, flu vaccine can reduce the severity of the illness.

Flu vaccine also helps protect women during and after pregnancy and protects the baby born to a vaccinated mom for several months after birth.

Flu vaccine has saved children’s lives, prevented serious events associated with chronic lung disease, diabetes and heart disease, and prevented flu-related hospitalization among working age adults and older adults.

Getting vaccinated is not just about keeping healthy. It is also about not spreading the virus, protecting others in the community who may be vulnerable to becoming very sick, such as babies, older adults and pregnant women.

For more information on influenza vaccination and immunization, visit the Georgia Department of Public Health website at http://dph.georgia.gov/influenza-what-you-need-know.

North GA – It’s that time of year again, north Georgians — flu season. As family and friends gather for the holidays, flu activity is increasing. Anyone still unvaccinated should get a flu vaccination right away.

December 1-7, 2019 is this year’s National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIIW) in which health officials highlight the importance of being vaccinated against the flu during the holiday season and beyond. This week serves as a reminder that anyone who can be vaccinated should do so to protect as many people as possible against flu. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccination every season.

Since this past August, public health staff in the North Georgia Health District have given over 7,440 flu vaccinations, and doses are still available at public health departments in these North Georgia counties:

Cherokee County: 1219 Univeter Road, Canton, GA 30115, (770) 345-7371 and 7545 North Main Street, Suite 100, Woodstock, GA 30188, (770) 928-0133

Fannin County: 95 Ouida Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513, (706) 632-3023

Gilmer County: 28 Southside Church Street, Ellijay, GA 30540, (706) 635-4363

Murray County: 709 Old Dalton-Ellijay Road, Chatsworth, GA 30705, (706) 695-4585

Pickens County: 60 Health Way, Jasper, GA 30143, (706) 253-2821

Whitfield County: 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton, GA 30720, (706) 279-9600

Flu vaccine is no cost at county health departments in North Georgia for anyone under an acceptable health insurance plan such as Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna, Anthem BlueCross BlueShield, United Healthcare, and others. For those without insurance coverage, the cost is still relatively low. The regular flu shot is $25 and the high-dose flu shot recommended for people ages 65 and older is $65.

There are many reasons to get a flu vaccination.

Flu vaccine can reduce a person’s risk of flu illness, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu. Even if a vaccinated person still gets sick, flu vaccine can reduce the severity of the illness.

Flu vaccine also helps protect women during and after pregnancy and protects the baby born to a vaccinated mom for several months after birth.

Flu vaccine has saved children’s lives, prevented serious events associated with chronic lung disease, diabetes and heart disease, and prevented flu-related hospitalization among working age adults and older adults.

Getting vaccinated is not just about keeping healthy. It is also about not spreading the virus, protecting others in the community who may be vulnerable to becoming very sick, such as babies, older adults and pregnant women.

For more information on influenza vaccination and immunization, visit the Georgia Department of Public Health website at http://dph.georgia.gov/influenza-what-you-need-know.

"Walk-Ins" are Welcome for FREE HIV Testing!

North GA – FREE HIV Testing will be offered on Monday, December 2nd at county health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield counties and at The Living Bridge Centers in Canton and Dalton. Walk-ins are welcome!

The free HIV testing is in honor of World AIDS Day, which was first observed in 1988 and is held annually on December 1st. Each year, organizations and individuals across the world bring attention to the HIV epidemic, endeavor to increase HIV awareness and knowledge, speak out against HIV stigma, and call for an increased response to move toward ending the HIV epidemic.

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus, which can cause AIDS (autoimmune deficiency syndrome). About 1 in 7 people in the United States who have HIV don’t know it. The only way anyone can know for sure is to get tested; therefore, the CDC recommends that everyone between ages 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of their routine healthcare.

People at higher risk should get tested more often, such as men who have sex with men, anyone who has had sex with an HIV-positive partner, and injection drug abusers. Learn more about who is at higher risk for HIV and about HIV testing recommendations at www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/testing.html.

 Know your status! Get HIV tested for FREE by public health in North Georgia on Monday, December 2nd. For county health department locations and phone numbers, click on the above LOCATIONS tab. For The Living Bridge Centers information, click here to the TLBC page.

"Walk-Ins" are Welcome for FREE HIV Testing!

North GA – FREE HIV Testing will be offered on Monday, December 2nd at county health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield counties and at The Living Bridge Centers in Canton and Dalton. Walk-ins are welcome!

The free HIV testing is in honor of World AIDS Day, which was first observed in 1988 and is held annually on December 1st. Each year, organizations and individuals across the world bring attention to the HIV epidemic, endeavor to increase HIV awareness and knowledge, speak out against HIV stigma, and call for an increased response to move toward ending the HIV epidemic.

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus, which can cause AIDS (autoimmune deficiency syndrome). About 1 in 7 people in the United States who have HIV don’t know it. The only way anyone can know for sure is to get tested; therefore, the CDC recommends that everyone between ages 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of their routine healthcare.

People at higher risk should get tested more often, such as men who have sex with men, anyone who has had sex with an HIV-positive partner, and injection drug abusers. Learn more about who is at higher risk for HIV and about HIV testing recommendations at www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/testing.html.

 Know your status! Get HIV tested for FREE by public health in North Georgia on Monday, December 2nd. For county health department locations and phone numbers, click on the above LOCATIONS tab. For The Living Bridge Centers information, click here to the TLBC page.

North GA – A flu shot is the best way to protect against the flu, and *1325 north Georgians recently protected themselves quickly and conveniently at Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics held by Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield county health departments.

Conducted each fall in the North Georgia Health District since 2007, all six county Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics took place in October this year.

Residents drove in and remained in their vehicles to receive a quadrivalent flu shot that protects against four strains of flu. People 65 and older had the option to get a high dose flu shot, containing four times the protective antigen, which is needed as the immune system weakens with age.

The Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics also provide an opportunity for county health departments and partnering agencies to test local plans to rapidly administer vaccine or medication during a public health crisis. Participating community partners include local law enforcement, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), businesses and first responders such as the county Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Medical Services and Fire Departments.

Beginning at this time of year through spring, influenza viruses circulate at higher levels in the U.S., so a well-timed flu shot reduces the chances of getting seasonal flu and spreading it to others. When more people are vaccinated, less flu spreads through communities.

In addition to a flu shot, other actions to prevent the spread of flu should include:

• Washing hands often with soap and warm water, if available – if not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub
• Covering the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, then dispose of the tissue
• Avoiding touching the eyes, nose and mouth – germs spread this way
• Avoiding close contact with sick people
• Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu
• Staying home if experiencing flu-like symptoms – fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, runny nose, fatigue or vomiting and/or diarrhea – remain home for at least 24 hours after fever is gone without the aid of medication to keep from infecting others

For more information about influenza, log onto the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov/flu.

To contact a county health department in the North Georgia Health District for a flu shot and other services, or to find the nearest health department location, click at the top of this page on the LOCATIONS tab.

* Of the 1325 residents vaccinated this year at the Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics in North Georgia, the county health 

   departments provided the following numbers of vaccine:

• • Cherokee County…….  172
  • Fannin County…………  150
  • Gilmer County…………  80
  • Murray County………..  180
  • Pickens County……….   93
  • Whitfield County…….   653

North GA – A flu shot is the best way to protect against the flu, and *1325 north Georgians recently protected themselves quickly and conveniently at Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics held by Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield county health departments.

Conducted each fall in the North Georgia Health District since 2007, all six county Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics took place in October this year.

Residents drove in and remained in their vehicles to receive a quadrivalent flu shot that protects against four strains of flu. People 65 and older had the option to get a high dose flu shot, containing four times the protective antigen, which is needed as the immune system weakens with age.

The Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics also provide an opportunity for county health departments and partnering agencies to test local plans to rapidly administer vaccine or medication during a public health crisis. Participating community partners include local law enforcement, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), businesses and first responders such as the county Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Medical Services and Fire Departments.

Beginning at this time of year through spring, influenza viruses circulate at higher levels in the U.S., so a well-timed flu shot reduces the chances of getting seasonal flu and spreading it to others. When more people are vaccinated, less flu spreads through communities.

In addition to a flu shot, other actions to prevent the spread of flu should include:

• Washing hands often with soap and warm water, if available – if not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub
• Covering the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, then dispose of the tissue
• Avoiding touching the eyes, nose and mouth – germs spread this way
• Avoiding close contact with sick people
• Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu
• Staying home if experiencing flu-like symptoms – fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, runny nose, fatigue or vomiting and/or diarrhea – remain home for at least 24 hours after fever is gone without the aid of medication to keep from infecting others

For more information about influenza, log onto the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov/flu.

To contact a county health department in the North Georgia Health District for a flu shot and other services, or to find the nearest health department location, click at the top of this page on the LOCATIONS tab.

* Of the 1325 residents vaccinated this year at the Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics in North Georgia, the county health 

   departments provided the following numbers of vaccine:

• • Cherokee County…….  172
  • Fannin County…………  150
  • Gilmer County…………  80
  • Murray County………..  180
  • Pickens County……….   93
  • Whitfield County…….   653