Healthcare facilities are overwhelmed due to COVID-19, and flu season is quickly approaching. District 2 Public Health is trying to get ahead of the heightened patient traffic they expect to see in the coming weeks by moving vaccinations off-site for some health departments.
District 2 Public Health has reopened two COVID-19 mass vaccination sites in Forsyth and Hall Counties to prepare for flu season and future COVID-19 booster shots for high risk individuals.
“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 in a press release. “By moving our COVID-19 operation off–site, we will alleviate the influx of people inside our waiting rooms.”
The vaccination sites are offering doses one and two of the Pfizer vaccine. At this point, the public health offices are not offering booster shots, but are currently discussing if, when and who they will offer it to. The organization should release its decision later this week.
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Both vaccine sites are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Forsyth County Health Department’s vaccination site is located at Northside Forsyth Hospital, Suite 360. Hall County’s site is set up at the Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center, located at 1855 Calvary Church Road in Gainesville.
District 2 Public Health will also offer drive-thru flu clinics in Habersham and surrounding counties. The drive-thru clinics will administer the flu vaccine and will help minimize waiting times, contact and strain on public health officials.
This year’s flu shot protects against four flu virus strains, two Influenza A strains and two Influenza B strains. The vaccine is safe for anyone over 2 years old who has not had an adverse reaction to the flu vaccine before. Check out the CDC’s website for more information on who should, or shouldn’t, get the flu shot.
The Habersham County Health Department will have two drive-thru flu clinics, one on Oct. 4 and one on Oct. 19. Check out their website for additional information on the clinics.
Appointments are not required for COVID-19 or flu vaccine clinics.
Drive-Thru Flu Clinics in District 2:
September 28 – Lumpkin County Health Department – 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
September 28 – Union County Health Department – 8:00am to 11:00 am and 1:00pm to 6:00pm
September 30 – Stephens County Health Department – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
October 4 – Habersham County Health Department – 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
October 5 – Hartwell First United Methodist Church (Hart County) 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
October 7 – St. John Baptist Church (Hall County) – 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
October 12 – Banks County Health Department – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
October 14 – Royston Housing Authority (Franklin County) – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
October 15 – White County – The Bridge Church – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
October 19 – Habersham County Health Department – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
October 19 – Lavonia Fire Station (Franklin County) – 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
October 26 – The Pavilions behind the Civic Center (Rabun County) – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
October 26 – Franklin County Health Department – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
October 28 – Stephens County Health Departement 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
