COVID-19 vaccine moving off-site at some health department locations

Community, News
Labor Day vaccines health departments covid

GAINESVILLE – In anticipation of the upcoming flu season and to prepare for the approval of the COVID-19 booster dose for the general population, District 2 Health Departments will be re-opening some of its off-site COVID-19 mass vaccination sites.

Approval for the booster dose is still pending; however, starting Monday, September 20, Forsyth and Hall County will move to their designated off-site locations to begin administering Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines.  The district will not administer booster doses until approval and guidance is granted by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and FDA.

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) will await recommendations from the CDC and ACIP before releasing a plan to administer booster doses of Pfizer COVID vaccine in Georgia. The FDA’s discussion and review of data about the need for COVID vaccine boosters is a first step in the process; the same questions will be considered by ACIP during meetings currently scheduled for Sept. 22-23. When CDC/ACIP provide recommendations and guidelines for booster shots, DPH has the inventory to quickly ramp up access to Pfizer COVID vaccine statewide.

“We anticipate an increase in traffic in our health departments with the administration of both the COVID booster dose and flu vaccine,” said Dr. Zachary Taylor, District 2 Public Health Director. “By moving our COVID-19 operation off-site, we will alleviate the influx of people inside our waiting rooms.”

Forsyth County Health Department will operate its COVID-19 mass vaccination site at Northside Forsyth Hospital, Suite 360, located at 1200 Northside Forsyth Dr. Cumming, GA 30041.

Hall County will operate its mass vaccine site from the Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center, located at 1855 Calvary Church Rd., Gainesville, GA 30507.

The hours of operation for both sites are Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Appointments are not required. If an individual prefers to schedule an appointment, they may do so using the VRAS scheduling system via the District 2 Public Health website.  Hours of operation and locations may change due to demand. Reference the schedule of locations and hours posted on the public health website to ensure the vaccine site in your county is operational.

For more information on the COVID-19 booster dose visit the CDC website to learn more.

District 2 Health Department outlines how to register for the COVID-19 vaccine

Community, News
Vaccine District 2

GAINESVILLE, Ga – Public Health Department District 2 provided instructions for those who are now eligible to sign up to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Last week, Governor Brian Kemp and DPH Director Kathleen Toomey added adults aged 65 and older, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responders to the current group of individuals eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccination in Phase 1-A.

Sign up online at www.phdistrict2.org

To provide the vaccine in a safe environment, they ask everyone to follow these steps.

  1. Vaccines are for residents who live or work in the counties that comprise District 2
  2. Vaccines will be given by appointment ONLY – Walk-ins will not be accepted
  3. They will limit the number of people in enclosed spaces by observing recommended social distances to prevent the spread of illness
  4. Come to the appointment as close to the allotted time as possible to reduce the number of people in the waiting area (patients may be asked to wait outside or in their car if  too early)
  5. If patients have insurance, please bring your card. Insurance will help pay to offset the cost of administering the vaccine.
  6. There will be no cost to anyone to get vaccinated.
  7. People should plan to remain for post-vaccination observation for up to 30-minutes
  8. Prior to vaccination, a review of product-specific safety information and consent will be required
  9. Both Moderna and Pfizer vaccine require two-doses – appointments are required for both doses
  10. Please understand patients will receive the vaccine that is available (Pfizer or Moderna)

A call center number will be available on Monday, January 11 for those who do not have access to online registration.

District 2 serves Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Habersham, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, and White.

Residents of these counties can register for the vaccine from District 2.

Image courtesy of Lisa Ferdinando from the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

 

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