With the holidays upon us and flu season in full swing, state health officials in Gainesville are making a new case for getting a flu shot.
It comes as part of National Influenza Vaccination Week, which begins today.
District 2 Public Health Departments have both types of flu vaccines: the shot and the nasal spray, and urge residents to get immunized now against seasonal influenza. As long as flu viruses are circulating, it’s not too late to get vaccinated, according to a news release from the Gainesville-based District 2 office. The office's service area includes 13 northeast Georgia counties.
CDC recommends that all persons, six months of age and older, who can take the flu shot, do so.
Local health departments accept cash, credit and debit cards, as well as Medicare, Medicaid, Peach Care, Amerigroup, WellCare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, Coventry, and United Health Care (state health benefit plan). You should bring your insurance card with you when you get the vaccine. The cost for the flu shot is $25 for self-pay.
During last year’s flu season, CDC estimates 49 million people were infected by flu viruses which caused over 950,000 hospitalizations and an estimated 79,000 deaths.
Persons in certain groups may have a higher risk for complications from influenza. These include: children younger than 5 years of age, adults 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Additionally, persons with chronic illnesses, weakened immune systems, and children and adolescents (aged 6 months –18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy are at higher risk for complications.
Here is a list of District 2 health departments and their immunization clinic schedules:
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Banks Health Dept. 667 Thompson Street Homer, GA 30547
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Appointment: Please call 706-677-2296.
Walk-in clinic: Every Friday from 8:00am to 11:00am and 1:00pm to 4:00pm (curbside service is available)
Late night clinic: first Thursday of each month open until 7:00pm (note: closes at 3:00pm the following Friday)
Businesses: To schedule an immunization clinic at your facility, call 706-677-2296 or email Melissa Canup at [email protected]
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Dawson Health Dept. 54 Hwy 53 East Dawsonville, GA 30534 |
Appointment: Please call 706-265-2611
Businesses: To schedule an immunization clinic at your facility, call 706-265-2611 or email Janelle Wilson at [email protected]
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Forsyth Health Dept. 428 Canton Hwy Cumming, GA 30040 |
Appointment: Please call 770-781-6900.
Walk-in clinic: Mon. – Fri. from 8:00am to 11:00am and 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Businesses: To schedule an immunization clinic at your facility, call 770-781-6900 or email Melissa Mercado at [email protected]
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Franklin Health Dept. 6955 GA 145 South Carnesville, GA 30521 |
Appointment: Please call 706-384-5575.
Walk-in clinic: Mon. – Fri. from 8:00am to 11:00am and 1:00pm to 4:00pm (curbside service available)
Late night clinic: second Thursday of each month open until 7:00pm (note: closes at 3:00pm the following Friday)
Businesses: To schedule an immunization clinic at your facility, call 706-384-5575 or email Misty Rice at [email protected]
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Habersham Health Dept. 185 Scoggins Drive Democrest, GA 30535 |
Appointment: Please call 706-778-7156.
Walk-in clinic:
(curbside service available)
Businesses: To schedule an immunization clinic at your facility, call 706-778-7156 or email Lindsey Sentz at [email protected]
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Hall Health Dept. 1290 Athens Street Gainesville, GA 30507 |
Appointment: Please call 770-531-5600.
Walk-in clinic:
(curbside service available)
Businesses: To schedule an immunization clinic at your facility, call 770-535-5886 or email Sophie Xie at [email protected]
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Hart Health Dept. 64 Reynold Street Hartwell, GA 30643 |
Appointment: Please call 706-376-5117.
Walk-in clinic: Tue. & Thu. From 8:00am to 11:00am and 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Late night clinic: first Tuesday of each month open until 7:00pm (note: closes at 3:00pm the following Friday)
Businesses: To schedule an immunization clinic at your facility, call 706-376-5117 or email Carolyn Hicks at [email protected]
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Lumpkin Health Dept. 60 Mechanicsville Road Dahlonega, GA 30533 |
Appointment: Please call 706-867-2727.
Businesses: To schedule an immunization clinic at your facility, call 706-867-2727 or email Linda Truelove at [email protected]
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Rabun Health Dept. 184 South Main Street, Ste 200 Clayton, GA 30525 |
Appointment: Please call 706-212-0289.
Walk-in clinic:
Businesses: To schedule an immunization clinic at your facility, call 706-212-0289 or email Sue Darnell at [email protected]
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Stephens Health Dept. 64 Boulevard, Suite 102 Toccoa, GA 30577
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Appointment: Please call 706-282-4507
Walk-in clinic: Mon. – Fri. from 8:00am to 11:00am and 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Businesses: To schedule an immunization clinic at your facility, call 706-677-2296 or email Debbie Thomas at [email protected]
Note: Immunizations are NOT available on the last working day of the month from 1:00 – 3:00pm. |
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Towns Health Dept. 1104 Jack Dayton Circle Young Harris, GA 30582 |
Appointment: Please call 706-896-2265.
Businesses: To schedule an immunization clinic at your facility, call 706-896-2265 or email Laura Ide at [email protected]
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Union Health Dept. 67 Chase Drive Blairsville, GA 30512 |
Appointment: Please call 706-745-6292.
Walk-in clinic:
Businesses: To schedule an immunization clinic at your facility, call 706-745-6292 or email Glenda McGill at [email protected]
Note: Immunizations are NOT available on the last working day of the month. |
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White Health Dept. 1331 Helen Hwy Cleveland, GA 30528 |
Appointment: Please call 706-865-2191.
Walk-in clinic:
Businesses: To schedule an immunization clinic at your facility, call 706-865-2191 or email Stacy Pollard at [email protected]
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http://accesswdun.com/article/2018/12/740038/gainesville-state-health-office-ramping-up-flu-vaccine-campaign