North GA – The Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics in North Georgia successfully ended this year with *1,145 residents in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield counties armed against the flu. Held annually by local public health in the six counties since 2007, this year’s drive-thru flu shot campaign began in Blue Ridge on September 23rd and wrapped up in Woodstock on October 19th.

Besides being a safe and convenient method for flu vaccination, the Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics provide an opportunity for county health departments and partnering agencies to test local plans for rapidly administering 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.

Influenza viruses circulate at higher levels from fall through spring 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.

As COVID-19 continues to transmit in our communities, it is even more significant that residents get vaccinated against both COVID-19 and the flu to reduce the dangerous risk of having both illnesses and to prevent an increase in cases of these diseases from occurring in our communities.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccine are both available on a walk-in, no-appointment-needed basis at each county health department in North Georgia.

The flu vaccine is no-cost to clients covered by one of a wide variety of acceptable healthcare plans, and if paying out of pocket, the cost is relatively low at $25 for the regular flu shot and $65 for high dose flu vaccine offered to people 65 and older whose immune systems tend to weaken with age.

COVID-19 vaccine doses are free at the county health departments, including primary shots, 3rd shots and booster shots. Log on here to the North Georgia Health District website to see the latest information about COVID-19 vaccine eligibility.

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 and find the location and phone number for each site, log onto www.nghd.org and click on the county name.