Marsha and Irene Carpenter get flu shots from Gilmer County Health Department staff at the Drive-by Flu Shot Clinic in Ellijay“This was our first year to conduct drive-by flu shot clinics each Friday in September in addition to the one we have annually in October at First United Methodist," said Katherine Meyer, county nurse manager. “We did this to provide a wider range of opportunity for people to get a convenient drive-by flu shot, and we're thrilled these 80 residents are now armed against the flu."
Meyer is now urging all other Gilmer residents who have not yet gotten their flu shot to come to the health department at 28 Southside Church Street to receive their vaccination.
Having the flu can lead to serious complications and death. The best protection against influenza is a flu shot.
The flu vaccine is $20 at the health department and the department accepts cash, checks, Medicare, Medicaid, State Cigna and State Healthcare Insurances.
The drive-by flu shot clinics also served as a test of the health department's ability to quickly administer medications in a widespread public health crisis such as pandemic influenza. The vaccination process went smoothly and quickly for everyone who participated in these clinics.
“We very much appreciate the help we received for today's drive-by flu shot clinic from our local law enforcement and from Gilmer County Fire and Rescue," said Meyer.
For more information about influenza vaccination, please contact the Gilmer County Health Department at (706) 635-4363 or log onto www.cdc.gov/flu.
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Photos of the Drive-by Flu Shot Clinic at First United Methodist Church in Ellijay are on our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/edit/a.416702711717832.104060.130708733650566/#!/media/set/?set=a.416702711717832.104060.130708733650566&type=1