Although persistent rain threatened to delay a drive-thru flu shot clinic held last Thursday at the ETC Pavilion, 108 took advantage of the easy opportunity to “arm” themselves against the flu.
Recent inclement weather did cause North Georgia Health District (NGHD) drive-thru flu shot clinics in Dalton and Woodstock to be rescheduled, but rain gear worn by health department staff and the site’s covered pavilion helped the Ellijay clinic go ahead as planned.
Last year, a total of 1,705 flu shots were dispensed at drive-thru clinics in Gilmer, Pickens, Cherokee, Fannin, Whitfield and Murray County, according to information provided by the health district.
Jennifer King, North Georgia Health District Public Information Officer, said more than 500 people had already been vaccinated at the health district’s 2021 drive-thru flu shot clinics prior to the one here last week.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot annually. The CDC has confirmed that it’s possible for some patients to receive both their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations in the same visit. Some health department patients, particularly senior citizens, have been opting to do that lately, King noted.
With COVID-19 and the Delta variant continuing to spread, getting a flu shot helps reduce the dangerous risk of having both illnesses at the same time, according to the NGHD.
Both regular and high-dose flu shots are available at the Gilmer Health Department, 28 Southside Church Street, during the following hours: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday: 7:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.; Tuesday: 7:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-6 p.m.; and Friday: 7:30 a.m.-noon.
The regular quadrivalent flu shot protects against two influenza A and two influenza B viruses. The high-dose flu shot with four times the amount of protective antigen is generally recommended for senior citizens.
Flu shots are given on a walk-in basis at the health department during the specified hours. Appointments are not required.