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Flu Vaccination Still Available at All County Health Departments
North, GA – Hundreds of North Georgians “cruised through” this year’s Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinics at county health departments across the district—rolling in for protection and rolling out with peace of mind!
This fall, our local public health teams provided a total of 599 flu vaccinations during these drive-thru events, distributed as follows:
- Cherokee County: 83
- Fannin County: 102
- Gilmer County: 42
- Murray County: 114
- Whitfield County: 258
Residents in Pickens County were encouraged to schedule appointments directly at the health department in Jasper.
Flu Shots Still Available
If you missed a drive-thru clinic, it’s not too late! Flu vaccines are available now at all six county health departments in the North Georgia Health District: Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield.
Contact information for each location is available at www.nghd.org.
Protect Yourself & Others
Getting a flu shot is the best way to guard against influenza—but it’s only one layer of protection. To help reduce the spread of flu, public health experts also recommend:
- Get vaccinated—everyone 6 months and older should get a flu shot each year.
- Practice good hand hygiene—wash hands often with soap and water.
- Cover coughs and sneezes—use a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
- Stay home if you’re sick—to prevent spreading the flu to others.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces—especially high-touch areas.
Why It Matters
According to the CDC, flu vaccination helps prevent illness, reduces missed work and school days, lowers the risk of hospitalization, and protects vulnerable family members—like infants, older adults, and people with chronic health conditions.
“Every flu shot makes a difference—for you, your family, and your community,” said Robin Coffey, BSN, RN, District Immunization Coordinator. “Even if you couldn’t attend a drive-thru clinic, it’s not too late to fuel your immunity. Contact your local health department today.”
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The Murray County Health Department in Chatsworth will be CLOSED on Thursday, October 2, and Friday, October 3, due to needed plumbing repairs. This closing will impact both clinical and WIC services. We apologize for this inconvenience and look forward to resuming services to residents as soon as possible next week.
Learn about public health services provided by each county health department in the North Georgia Health District at www.nghd.org.
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North GA – The North Georgia Health District is proud to announce that this year’s Environmental Health All-Star Award recipient for Health District 1-2 is Wendy Scoggins, Administrative Professional with the Gilmer County Environmental Health Office.
The Environmental Health Office of the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) established this award in 2024 to honor an outstanding Environmental Health Specialist in each of Georgia’s 18 public health districts. Staff members within each district are nominated by their peers, and a special committee carefully selects the top candidate. For North Georgia Health District 1-2, Wendy Scoggins exemplifies what it means to go above and beyond in serving her community through Environmental Health.
Wendy Scoggins, 2025 EHS All Star for District 1-2, and District Environmental Health Director Amy Grice“Wendy has devoted 19 years of service to the health district, where she has been a steadfast and compassionate presence in Environmental Health,” said Amy Grice, MPH, REHS, District 1-2 Environmental Health Director. “She approaches her work with patience, professionalism, and a genuine desire to help others. Her unwavering dedication to customer service has made her a favorite among the public. Real estate agents, local builders, partner agencies, and many others often praise her for her prompt responses, kindness, empathy, and willingness to go the extra mile.”
According to Andrea Mathis, Gilmer County Environmental Health Manager, “Wendy’s personal motto — ‘Treat others the way you would like to be treated’ — shines through in every interaction. As the only administrative staff member in a rapidly growing county, she carries a tremendous workload, managing all customer inquiries, document submittals, and office administration with remarkable organization and efficiency.”
Her extensive knowledge of Environmental Health programs, coupled with the strong partnerships she has built across departments and agencies, makes Wendy not only an invaluable resource to her customers but also to her fellow staff. Her excellence truly embodies the spirit of this award.
We congratulate Wendy on this well-deserved recognition and are proud of our hard-working environmental health staff throughout the district! Learn more about the Environmental Health program in North Georgia and how it serves residents in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties at https://nghd.org/eh.
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Today we join the nation in honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This is a day for quiet reflection, memory, and inspiration. Please be reminded all our public health offices, departments, and services in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties will be closed today in observance of this special occasion. Learn about the life and legacy of Dr. King at https://www.dodea.edu/news/observance-calendar/martin-luther-king-jr-day.
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North Georgia - We will be CLOSED on Monday, January 20, 2025, for the national observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The North Georgia Health District office, health departments, environmental health offices, WIC program, and all other public health programs and services in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties will be closed in respectful honor of this day. The Living Bridge Center clinics (@thelivingbridgecenter) in Canton, Dalton, and Gainesville will also be closed. We look forward to resuming all our services to the public as normal on Tuesday, January 21st. #MLKDay #mlkday2025
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North Georgia – The North Georgia Health District has lifted the delayed openings for health departments in Fannin and Pickens counties, and the previous closure of the Gilmer County Health Department has also been removed. As of Tuesday, January 14, 2025, public health services will be available during regular clinic hours in all our counties, which include Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield. These services include County Health Departments, WIC, Environmental Health, and The Living Bridge Centers in Canton, Dalton, and Gainesville.
We encourage residents to drive cautiously as road conditions continue to improve.
For more information about our public health services and locations in each county, please visit our website home page at www.nghd.org.
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🚨 UPDATE FOR MONDAY, JANUARY 13TH 🚨
Due to the potential for residual icy road conditions tomorrow, Monday, January 13th, Fannin and Pickens County Health Departments will delay opening until 10 AM. Gilmer County Health Department will remain closed all day. These delays and closure also include WIC services and the Environmental Health offices in each of these counties.
Currently, our health departments and services in Cherokee, Murray, and Whitfield Counties will operate as normal on Monday during their regular hours.
For updates, please continue to visit the North Georgia Health District website here in our News Section and scrolling media alerts at top on our home page.
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NORTH GA - Due to the expected hazardous weather conditions tomorrow, Friday, January 10th, the North Georgia Health District office in Dalton and all public health facilities and services in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties will be closed. This closure includes the health departments in each county as well as environmental health offices and WIC services. The Living Bridge Centers in Canton, Dalton, and Gainesville will also be closed.
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As the new year begins, January marks Cervical Cancer Awareness Month—a vital opportunity to highlight the importance of prevention, screening, and education surrounding cervical cancer. This month serves as a reminder that proactive measures can significantly lower your risk of cervical cancer, and it all starts with understanding the power of regular screenings.
Cervical Cancer and Its Prevention
Cervical cancer is often preventable, and one of the most effective ways to protect yourself is by getting screened regularly, beginning at age 21. For residents in North Georgia, reaching out to your local Health Department in counties such as ours in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, or Whitfield can provide you with essential information on how to receive the HPV vaccine or undergo cervical cancer screening.
The Importance of Screening Tests
Two key screening tests play a crucial role in detecting cervical cancer early: the HPV test and the Pap test (Pap smear).
- HPV Test: This test identifies the presence of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that can lead to cell changes on the cervix.
- Pap Test: This examination looks for precancerous cell changes that, if left untreated, could develop into cervical cancer.
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This applies to all public health services and programs in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties, including our district office, health departments, environmental health offices, WIC services, and The Living Bridge Centers located in Canton, Dalton, and Gainesville.
For the list of all 2024 U.S. Federal Holidays, please visit www.ca2.uscourts.gov/clerk/calendars/federal_holidays.html.
See you Tuesday!