North Georgia’s public health departments are now offering a third dose of the COVID vaccine to people with weak immune systems.
District Two Public Health announced today third doses are available to those who meet certain criteria determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The additional dose has been approved for the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines only and is not currently approved for the Johnson and Johnson (J&J) one-dose vaccine.
“This is an additional dose for individuals that have specific health conditions that limit their ability to make antibodies to fight off COVID-19 with only two doses of the vaccine, this is not a booster dose for the general population,” District Two health officials explain.
Who’s eligible?
According to Georgia Department of Public Health guidelines, anyone seeking a third dose through Public Health must have a signed doctor’s statement that includes the specific health condition they’re experiencing. There is a specific “attestation” form they ask doctors to fill out and sign. Patients may obtain the form through the District Two Public Health website or by clicking here.
People with moderately to severely weakened immune systems due to a medical condition, medicine or treatments should consider getting a third dose of the vaccine, health officials say. This includes people who are undergoing active treatment for tumors and blood cancer; organ transplant and stem cell transplant recipients; people with moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome); and those with advanced or untreated HIV infection.
District 2 health departments will administer additional doses on a walk-in basis. At this time, no appointments are required, and all additional doses are available at all District 2 health departments.
The District includes thirteen North Georgia counties including Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, and White.
Health department hours are:
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.,
Tuesday 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m.-12 noon.
The departments close every day for lunch from 12 noon-1 p.m.
For a location near you, visit phdistrict2.org.
