Health departments offer flu, COVID-19 vaccines
Healthcare providers encourage getting vaccines before Thanksgiving

As you plan for Thanksgiving and other holiday gatherings, be sure everyone in your family who is 6 months and older receives an annual flu vaccine and newly updated COVID-19 vaccine NOW before you go to Grandma’s. (Vaccines usually take two weeks to work at their best.)

Chances are, you’ll be visiting with someone who has a higher risk of becoming severely ill and possibly being hospitalized if they get sick—especially older adults, children younger than 5, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes and heart disease.

Though the vaccines cannot completely prevent someone from getting the viruses, being vaccinated can make the illnesses less severe and lowers the risk of long-term effects, hospitalization, and death.

County health departments in District 4 offer both flu and COVID-19 vaccines for those 6 months and older, with rare exceptions.

Following the most recent CDC guidelines, health department nurses or other providers will counsel patients on the risk-benefit of the COVID-19 vaccine based not only on age but also an individual’s other health conditions or considerations. A prescription is not required.

Most major insurance companies cover the cost of COVID vaccination, but individuals should check with their insurer about coverage in their plans. The COVID-19 vaccine currently is covered by federal programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. For individuals without health insurance, please contact your local health department for assistance in receiving a vaccine at the health department.

To learn which COVID vaccine brand your county health department currently offers for your age group and to schedule your appointment, click here. If you wish, you can schedule both flu and COVID vaccines for the same visit. Call your local health department to be sure they have the vaccine in stock before going for a COVID vaccination or other immunization.

If you’re at least 50 years old—or if you’re pregnant (between 32 to 36 weeks’ gestation)—talk with your doctor to see if getting an RSV vaccine is right for you. The CDC currently recommends the RSV vaccine for adults ages 75 and older (and for adults ages 50-74 who are at an increased risk of severe RSV. Older adults who received an RSV vaccine last year do not need to get another one this year.

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Media Contact: Natalie Shelton | natalie.shelton@dph.ga.gov