North Central Health District

Flu Vaccine Now Available at County Health Departments in Middle Georgia

Posted October 4, 2013 by NCHD Admin

Officials from the North Central Health District are pleased to announce that flu vaccines are now available at all of the district’s 13 county health departments. The health department will offer:

• the traditional flu shot: recommended for everyone over 6 months of age
• Flu Mist: a nasal spray approved for healthy individuals 2 through 49 years of age
• the high-dose flu shot: recommended for individuals 65 years of age or older and the $55.00 cost is covered by Medicare Part B

Many health departments also have the intradermal flu shot, which is injected into the skin rather than the muscle and uses a smaller needle than the traditional flu shot.

Flu vaccines will cost $25, but are available at no charge to those on Medicaid, Peachcare, Wellcare, Amerigroup, Medicare Part B, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia, or a State Benefit Plan through United Healthcare or Cigna.

Each health department will also be offering free flu vaccine in public schools in the upcoming weeks and months. Several private schools are also participating. Parents should be receiving permission slips from their child’s school in the coming weeks. For more information on this, parents can call the health department or call their child’s school.

A recent study done by the Georgia Department of Education showed that there is a direct correlation between the number of school absences and graduation rates. The more class days that are missed significantly reduces the graduation rate. Similarly, CRCT scores improve the more days a student is present in school. Local health officials recognize that flu vaccines can reduce the number of days missed from school, which will increase their academic performance.

The CDC recommends that all age groups receive the flu vaccine, but particularly:

• People 50 years old or older
• School-aged children
• Adults and children with chronic health conditions
• Women who will be at any stage of pregnancy during flu season
• People who can spread the flu to those at high risk (i.e. caregivers)
• Healthcare workers
• Anyone who wants to prevent getting the flu

The health department is also offering the pneumonia vaccine. This vaccine is recommended for all persons 65 years or older and individuals under 65 years of age who smoke or who have a chronic illness. Contact the health department for pricing, as some individuals qualify for the vaccine at a reduced price.

Your Local Clinic Info:

• The Baldwin County Health Department accepts walk-in patients on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and on Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, call (478) 445-1574.
• The Bibb County Health Department is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. No appointment is necessary. For more information, call (478) 745-0411.
• The Crawford County Health Department is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information, call (478) 836-3167.
• The Hancock County Health Department is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information, call (706) 444-6616.
• The Houston County Health Department is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. No appointment is necessary. Nurses from the health department will also available at each of the Houston County Walmart stores on September 30, October 2, and October 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, please call (478) 218-2000.
• The Jasper County Health Department accepts walk-ins on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.; on Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and on Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For more information, please call (706)468-6850.
• The Jones County Health Department is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. To schedule an appointment for your flu vaccine, please call(478) 986-3164.
• The Monroe County Health Department accepts walk-in patients on Monday through Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to Noon and 1:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Appointments are required on Thursday and Friday. Nurses from the health department will also available to give vaccines at Walmart on September 9, September 13, September 30, October 2, and October 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information or to schedule your appointment, please call (478) 992-5082.
• The Peach County Health Department schedules appointments on Monday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To schedule an appointment for your flu vaccine, please call (478) 825-6939.
• The Putnam County Health Department is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information, please call (706) 485-8591.
• The Twiggs County Health Department is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday: 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Tuesday: 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. No appointment is necessary, but patients are encouraged to call to see if a nurse is available. For more information, call (478) 945-3351.
• The Washington County Health Department is open Monday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, please call (478) 552-3210.
• The Wilkinson County Health Department is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:00 to 5:30 p.m.; on Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to Noon. No appointment is necessary, but patients are encouraged to call to see if a nurse is available. For more information, please call (478) 946-2226.