Health department announces changes COVID-19 vaccination schedule changes
News, Press Release April 20, 2021
GAINESVILLE – Several District 2 Public Health Departments are adjusting their Covid-19 vaccination schedules. This will allow the county health departments to continue vaccinations and expand hours for other health department services.
Changes to vaccination schedules – start date, location, and days for vaccination:
Union County
Will move to the health department, 67 Chase Dr., Blairsville, on April 26. This week vaccinations will be available Monday to Friday. However, beginning on May 4, vaccinations will be available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only. Walk-ins will be accepted from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The clinic will close for lunch from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm.
Towns County
Moved back to the health department, 1104 Jack Dayton Cir., Hiawassee on April 19. Vaccination are being administered on Wednesday only. Walk-ins will be accepted from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The clinic will close for lunch from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm.
Banks County
Will remain at Grove Level Church, 1702 Grove Level Rd, Maysville. However, beginning May 10, the clinic will only operate on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Walk-in will be accepted from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The clinic will close from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm for lunch.
Franklin County
Will remain at the Franklin County Recreation Center, 557 Rocky Ford Rd., Carnesville. Beginning May 3, the clinic will only operate on Monday and Tuesday. Walk-ins will be accepted from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The clinic will close for lunch from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm.
Habersham County
Will remain at Ruby Fulbright Center, 120 Paul Franklin Rd, Clarkesville through May 7. Beginning May 3, the clinic will operate only on Monday and Thursday. Then, on May 10, the clinic will move back to the health department at 185 Scoggins Dr., Demorest. After the move to the health department, the clinic will operate on Wednesday only. Walk-ins will be accepted from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The clinic will close for lunch from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm.
Hart County
Will remain at Flat Shoals Church, 2999 Bowersville Hwy, Bowersville. Beginning May 3, the clinic will operate only on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Walk-ins will be accepted from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. on Tuesday and Thursday and on Friday from 9:00 am to 10:00 am. The clinic will close for lunch from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm. On Friday, the clinic will close at 12:00 pm.
Rabun County
Moved back to the health department (upper level), 184 S. Main St., Clayton on April 19. Vaccinations are available on Tuesday and Thursday. Walk-ins will be accepted from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The clinic will close for lunch from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm.
Stephens County
Stephens County will continue at St. Matthias Church, 995 E. Tugalo St., Toccoa. Beginning May 3, vaccination will be available on Tuesday and Thursday only. Walk-ins will be accepted from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The clinic will close for lunch from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm.
White County
Will move back to the health department, 1331 Helen Hwy, Cleveland, on May 3. Vaccinations will then be available on Tuesday only. Walk-ins will be accepted from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The clinic will close for lunch from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm.
Appointments are still recommended and can be made by calling 1-888-426-5073 or online at https://gta-vras.powerappsportals.us
No Change to vaccination schedules:
Dawson County Veteran’s Park, 186 Recreation Drive, Dawsonville Monday – Friday
Forsyth County Cumming Fairground, 235 Castleberry Rd, Cumming Monday – Friday
Hall County UNG – Gainesville, 3280 Mundy Mill Rd., Oakwood Monday – Friday
Lumpkin County Senior Center, 266 Mechanicsville Rd., Dahlonega Monday – Friday
Union County hopes to vaccinate 1,000 in one day
Community January 22, 2021
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Friday marked the first mass COVID-19 vaccination event for Union County, judging from the full schedule, one could label it a success.
The department of public health (DPH) controls who is eligible to receive the vaccine and individuals must sign up through the DPH website – more specifically the District 2 website. However, as of Thursday, the appointments were at full capacity and existing stock is committed as the second dose for other patients.
The state left it up to local health departments to administer the vaccines to people, which can be difficult in a small county. The people eligible to receive the vaccine greatly outnumber the nurses and DPH only allows a certain number of vaccines to each county. DPH is bringing on extra employees to help meet demand as well.
“They’re trying to do all the retirement villages, nursing homes, everything…most of our public safety personnel have already been given the opportunity to get their shot. Now that they’ve opened it up to 65 years and older, we’ve realized it’s going to take months and months to get these shots out at the rate they’re going,” Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris explained.
The COVID-19 vaccination set up inside the sports center. Photos courtesy of Union County EMA.
Fire Chief and EMA Director David Dyer and the local health department created the mass vaccination event at the new sports center.
“We’re experimenting with the logistics of making it all work,” Paris said. “We’ll have six or eight more that are going to be certified [to give shots.]”
The mass vaccination began at 8 a.m. and lasted until 8 p.m. 50 volunteers participated to help make the event a success.
“We can’t tell you when you’re going to be able to get the shot. We’re just going to the Gainesville office and saying give us as many shots as you can.”
The county has set up a link on their website to schedule an appointment for the vaccination event. They started with 150 shots on Monday and grew to 1,000 shots by Thursday.
“The way COVID-19 is spreading throughout the county…There’s no rhyme or reason to who gets it and who doesn’t,” Paris added, “It’s a serious thing, and we take it serious here at the county.”
Union County hopes to hold more mass vaccination events in the future for residents who want the shot – potentially for four consecutive weeks.
Department of Public Health began to administer COVID-19 vaccine Monday
News December 23, 2020
HALL COUNTY, Ga. – Georgia received its first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine last week. On Monday Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) District 2 began to administer the vaccine to first responders in the community.
DPH Public Information Officer Dave Palmer said 35 firefighters, EMTs and other first responders were signed up to be among the first to receive the vaccine.
Nicholas Gallo who works with Georgia MedPort Ambulance Service said he was a little concerned about being among the first to get the vaccine. “New things are scary,” he said. “But I would rather not get sick.”
Palmer said, “Healthcare workers will be the next to receive the vaccine. We will administer those at the District Office at 1290 Athens Street.”
Most said the shots did not hurt and expressed confidence they would have a beneficial impact on the community. The vaccine comes in two doses. Those who received the vaccine today will have a second dose in about three weeks.
(Photo courtesy of Dave Palmer, Department of Public Health) Nicholas Gallo, and EMT with Georgia MedPort Ambulance Service was among the first to receive the vaccine on Monday.
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