A total of 140 flu shots were given during a drive-thru clinic conducted by the Gilmer County Health Department Tuesday, Sept. 22.
This year’s total number vaccinated represents 60 more flu shots than were given during last year’s drive-thru event at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. At the 2020 clinic held at new location the ETC Pavilion, most recently used as the county’s COVID-19 testing site, health department staff had almost surpassed last year’s total number of shots by 11 a.m.
“(This year was) a definite increase from previous years, when the numbers were usually less than 100,” confirmed Jennifer King, public information officer for the North Georgia Health District.
Two types of shots were available at the event -— a regular 4-in-1 or quadrivalent vaccine and a high dose version, typically recommended for patients over age 65.
“We gave more high dose, but that is typical of the drive-thru,” said Monica Ledford, Gilmer Health Department office manager,
Vaccination totals have also been up in some other North Georgia Health District counties where the drive-thru events have been held this year.
“I believe it’s still early to tell how more likely people will be to get their flu shots this year, but, so far with our drive-thrus, we are seeing a much higher level of response than in past years,” King said. “In Whitfield County, they gave 816 at their drive-thru clinic, which was also a marked improvement from last year’s (total of) 653. Fannin gave 125, which is more than they’ve given most years, and Pickens also gave a great number of flu shots at 136. They normally give less than 100.”
Last year, a total of 1,325 influenza vaccinations were given in the six-county region of Gilmer, Fannin, Whitfield, Pickens, Murray and Cherokee. This year, more than 1,200 vaccinations have already been given at the four drive-thrus that had been conducted before Tuesday, Sept 29.
“Our county health departments began receiving their flu vaccine at the same time they do each year, but, because COVID-19 is circulating, we had our drive-thru flu shot clinics earlier than usual (this year) so we can quickly get as many people protected against the flu as possible,” King noted.
This year’s drive-thru clinics also have an added emphasis as they precede public health dispensing a coronavirus vaccine when one becomes available. At the Ellijay clinic, health department staff wore face shields, gloves, masks and other protective equipment typically worn when conducting coronavirus tests.
“The emergency prep aspect of the drive-thru flu shot clinics is exactly how we’ve been preparing for an event such as COVID-19. Currently, this is the method we intend to use to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available,” King confirmed.
Al Cash, public information officer for Gilmer County Public Safety, noted that members of the public safety agency’s paramedicine team were also on hand at the Ellijay clinic to observe and assist patients who waited the recommended time to see if an adverse reaction from the vaccine occurred.
They also provided information on the county’s new Yellow Dot medical information program and local paramedicine functions, he added. The health department team gave away several protective face masks during the clinic, Cash noted.
Flu shots available at health department
Both types of flu shots are also available at the county health department, Southside Church Street, as supply allows, but only during specified hours.
“Due to offsite COVID-19 testing, we have specific hours for flu vaccines.,” Ledford confirmed.
Those hours are: Monday, 1-3:30 p.m.; Tuesday, 7:30-11 a.m.; Wednesday, 1- 6 p.m. and Thursday, 7:30-11 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m.
“We will be receiving additional flu vaccine in each county, and they will have access to more doses than usual this year. We encourage anyone who has not yet been vaccinated against the flu to get vaccinated right away,” King said.
Curbside flu shots for adults 18 and over are also being offered at the health department this year.
“Patients call when they arrive and we come to them outside. Children must still come inside the clinic,” Ledford said.
Local health department staff will also conduct an offsite flu shot clinic for students at Mountain View Elementary School in October. Parents who want to have their children vaccinated at that clinic have already signed up for the service.
“Other health departments in our district have done flu shots in the schools in the past, but this is our first year doing them there,” noted Ledford.