NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                        

Oct. 22, 2021                                                                                        

Atlanta – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and health districts throughout Georgia will begin offering booster doses of Moderna and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID vaccine Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, pending guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These boosters are in addition to previously approved booster doses of Pfizer vaccine.

For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial 2-dose series:

• 65 years and older
• Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
• Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
• Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk setting  

For people who received the J&J COVID vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.

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.

The Georgia Department of Public Health's WIC Survey is Live and Ready for Your Feedback!

You are invited to complete an online survey regarding our Women, Infant and Children (WIC) services provided during the pandemic.

Please go to surveymonkey.com/r/6DX63MD or click this button:

North GA – As WORLD AIDS DAY approaches this year, you have a great opportunity to show How You Rock the Ribbon!

The North Georgia Health District HIV Program invites you to participate right now in their live Rock the Ribbon Virtual Event where you can safely download the QR code below and complete a survey. You will then receive a FREE Rock the Ribbon T-Shirt so you can show your support for those living with HIV leading up to World AIDS Day, December 1st.

FREE HIV testing will be offered on World AIDS Day at all public health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield counties and at The Living Bridge Center locations in Dalton and Canton.

Meanwhile, show How You Rock the Ribbon during our Rock the Ribbon Virtual Event. Get started by scanning the QR Code or click https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DGPGGT7. Get your free event t-shirt. Get tested. Remember those who have lost their lives to HIV, do your part to reduce stigma, learn more about HIV prevention strategies, walk or run a 5K, plant a tree, make a donation, and share your plans and pictures on social media at #TLBCWAD2021 or #TLBCRockTheRibbon. Share our event social media post on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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Public Health departments, offices and services in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens & Whitfield counties are CLOSED today for the State Holiday. But MAKO Medical COVID-19 Testing is available! Get info at bit.ly/FREECoVTestingInNorthGA

RESCHEDULED CLINIC

Woodstock, GA – The public health DRIVE-THRU FLU SHOT CLINIC that was scheduled earlier in Woodstock but postponed due to weather is now rescheduled for Tuesday, October 19th from 9 AM to 2 PM. The drive-thru clinic location will now be at the Cherokee County Health Department Woodstock Health Center at 7545 North Main Street, Woodstock, GA 30188. The shot is no-cost if covered by one of several health plans. If paying out of pocket, the cost is still relatively low at $25 for regular flu vaccine and $65 for high dose flu vaccine for people aged 65 and older. Both vaccines guard against 4 different strains of flu. Cash, checks, credit cards, Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Coventry, Humana, Ambetter and United Healthcare Insurance will be accepted. Call (770) 928-0133 or (770) 345-7371.

RESCHEDULED CLINIC

Dalton, GA – The public health DRIVE-THRU FLU SHOT CLINIC that was scheduled earlier in Dalton but postponed due to weather is now rescheduled for Wednesday, October 13th from 8 AM to 2 PM. The drive-thru clinic location will now be at the Whitfield County Health Department at 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton, GA 30720. The shot is no-cost if covered by one of several health plans. If paying out of pocket, the cost is still relatively low at $25 for regular flu vaccine and $65 for high dose flu vaccine for people aged 65 and older. Both vaccines guard against 4 different strains of flu. Cash, checks, Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Coventry, Humana, and United Healthcare Insurance will be accepted. Call (706) 279-7900 for more information.

New Dates to Be Announced ASAP!

North, GA – The public health Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinics scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, October 5^th, at Dalton Convention Center and Woodstock City Church, will be postponed due to predicted storms. We regret having to postpone these clinics but want to prevent risking the safety of everyone involved. New dates for these two clinics will be shared as soon as possible with the media, on social media and here on the North Georgia Health District website.

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Now, during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it's time to learn what to do to prevent breast cancer and how to detect it early for ourselves or for someone we love.

Breast cancer, the 2^nd most common cancer among women after skin cancer, is when cells in the breast grow out of control. Finding breast cancer early is critical because it’s easier to treat.

Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women, and as a related consequence, there are men and children whose lives are forever impacted because their wife, mother, aunt, niece, grandma, sister, sister-in-law, mother-in-law has breast cancer.  Men can also be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Public health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties are working especially hard during the month of October to call attention to this disease that has affected so many and to encourage early detection.