North Georgia – Roll in. Roll up a sleeve, and arm against the flu. Drive-by Flu Shot Clinics are coming once again to North Georgia, and there is no easier, safer way to protect against the flu while helping prepare communities for disaster.
Since 2008, public health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties have conducted the annual Drive-by Flu Shot Clinics, serving residents quickly and efficiently as they remain in their vehicles.
The four-in-one quadrivalent flu vaccine and the Fluzone High Dose vaccine for people sixty-five and older will be available at the clinics.
“Quadrivalent flu vaccine protects us against four different strains of flu, including two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses,” said Marie Smith, immunization and child health coordinator for North Georgia Health District 1-2 of the Georgia Department of Public Health. “Whereas, for people 65 and older whose immune systems tend to weaken with age, the Fluzone High-Dose vaccine has four times the amount of protective antigen.”
The cost of the quadrivalent flu shot is $25 and the Fluzone High-Dose flu shot is $58. Cash, Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield Health and United Healthcare Insurance will be accepted, along with other forms of payment and insurance, depending on the county.
While arming residents against the flu at the Drive-by Flu Shot Clinics, public health staff and community partners test their plans for standing up a temporary Point of Dispensing to rapidly administer medication during a public health crisis. Participating community partners include local law enforcement, volunteers, businesses and first responders such as the county Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Medical Services and Fire Department.
This year, the Drive-by Flu Shot Clinics are scheduled in each county, as follows:
Cherokee: Tuesday, October 4th, 8 A.M. – 4 P.M., Woodstock Health Center: 7545 North Main Street, Woodstock, GA. Call (770) 928-0133 or (770) 345-7371 for more details.
Fannin: Thursday, September 29th, 9 A.M. – 5 P.M., The Farmers Market: East First Street, Blue Ridge, GA. Call (706) 632-3023 for more details.
Gilmer: Thursday, October 6th, 8 A.M. – 4 P.M., Pleasant Grove Baptist Church: 115 Pleasant Grove Road, Ellijay, GA. Call (706) 635-4363 for more details.
Murray: Tuesday, October 11th, 8 A.M. – 6 P.M., Murray County Parks and Recreation Department: 651 Hyden Tyler Road, Chatsworth, GA. Call (706) 695-4585 for more details.
Pickens: Tuesday, September 27th, 9 A.M. – 3 P.M., Mt. Zion Baptist Church: 1036 North Main Street, Jasper, GA. Call (706) 253-2821 for more details.
Whitfield: Wednesday, October 5th, 8 A.M. – 3:30 P.M., Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center: 2211 Dug Gap Battle Road, Dalton, GA. Call (706) 226-2621 for more details.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each season.
The most convenient way to get that vaccination in North Georgia is at the nearest Drive-by Flu Shot Clinic.
For additional details about the Drive-by Flu Shot Clinics, call the local county health department or log onto www.nghd.org. To learn more about influenza and flu protection, log onto the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/flu/.