‘A long way to go’

With the COVID-19 vaccination effort past the half-year mark, data from the North Georgia Health District (NGHD) tells that Gilmer County is well short of meeting a 50 percent vaccination threshold.

According to the health district’s most recent COVID vaccination update, 35 percent of Gilmer residents (or 10,739) have been fully vaccinated, while 38 percent (or 11,646) of residents have gotten at least one dose.

The highest local vaccination rate has been among residents age 75 and up. With the exception of ages 10-14, the lowest rate is in the 15-19 age group. Also according to NGHD data, the vaccination rate gradually declines in all age groups under 75-84.

“We are trying everything we can do to get vaccines in arms, and still have a long way to go,” said Sherry Gregory, director of the NGHD Infectious Disease Department.

Demand for the vaccine has gradually dropped off at the Gilmer County Health Department, where almost 17,800 COVID vaccines have been given since last December.

“We’re still seeing people steadily come in, and averaging anywhere from 5 to 15 a day,” said Krystal Sumner, the local health department’s nurse manager.

According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, 4.75 million people, or 46 percent of Georgia residents, have received at least one dose of COVID vaccine, while 4.18 million, or 40 percent, are fully vaccinated.

With more locations, including pharmacies and doctor’s offices, now offering the shots, there’s no reason for anybody who wants to get the vaccine not to have access to it, Gregory said.

“Everything is free, and you just go get it. It’s just a matter of choosing to do it. We’ve had lots of providers and pharmacies, who’ve signed up (to give the vaccine). It goes into GRITS (Georgia Registry of Immunization Transactions and Services), and Georgia Public Health checks those numbers,” she added.

The county’s new case rates have seen ups and downs since serious statewide spikes around February, which eventually led to all adults 16 and up being made eligible for vaccination. Per the weekly NGHD update, there have been 2,619 cumulative reported COVID cases in the county since the pandemic began. There were 24 new cases in the 14-day period that preceded Aug. 2.

More new cases come as the Delta Variant, a mutation of the new coronavirus, is infecting both the vaccinated and unvaccinated.

“If we’d had a much greater response (to the vaccine), we would not be fighting this Delta Variant. We had so many people not get vaccinated, it allowed the disease to mutate and here we are with a variant that’s much more aggressive,” Gregory said.

Even though someone may be fully vaccinated or already had COVID, they’re still susceptible to the Delta Variant, Gregory noted.

“It’s much more contagious. That’s why we’re seeing the spike in new cases,” she added. “(Those who’ve) been vaccinated have better protection than somebody who hasn’t. Just because you’ve had the vaccine doesn’t give you 100 percent immunity, but it does increase it tremendously.”

Gregory said Delta Variant cases are included in new cases rates for Georgia counties. Although the NGHD does not differentiate between variant and standard COVID-19 cases, the CDC does keep track of different mutations of the disease and who they affect, she noted.

“We’ve been advised that 80 percent of the new cases are the Delta Variant. It’s circulating all over,” Gregory said.

Distinguishing between variants is no easy task, she confirmed.

“That’s what’s so frustrating. With COVID, the symptoms are all over the board. They could be respiratory, loss of taste and smell or GI symptoms. It’s so hard to detect if somebody has COVID just from their symptoms, and that’s why we encourage testing everywhere. I’m sure there’s a ton of people out there who’ve had COVID, but never even knew it,” Gregory said.

Although demand for the vaccine is down, health departments in the six-county North Georgia district are finding ways to bring it to their communities.

In Gilmer, health department staff have vaccinated residents of assisted living facilities and homebound patients, while also going to businesses and schools for onsite clinics.

“We have an excellent partnership with Pilgrim’s where we continue to do outreach and clinics with them to try and get their employees and employees’ families vaccinated,” Sumner said.

Recent onsite clinics were planned for open houses at Gilmer High and Clear Creek Middle School.

“We’re providing COVID vaccine there to any kids and parents who want it,” Sumner said.

It’s looking like another challenging year for schools, noted Gregory.

“We had such a mild summer, and things got so much better. Then, all of a sudden, this new variant has taken over like wildfire. It’s almost like we’re starting over again,” she said.

The Pfizer vaccine has only been available for children age 12-15 since May. According to NGHD, 3.8 percent of local residents age 10-14 and 12.7 percent of local residents age 15-19 have been vaccinated.

“We’re seeing a few (children age 12-15) each day. I wouldn’t say a lot, but we’re seeing a few here and there. I hope that continues steadily,” Sumner said.

Appointments are no longer needed to get vaccinated at the local health department, Sumner confirmed. All three brands of vaccine --— Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson --— are now available, she noted.

“It’s just by walk-in during our normal business hours. If you’re over 18, you can pick which one you want,” Sumner said.

The health department will conduct onsite vaccination clinics for local businesses, civic groups and churches, Sumner noted.

“We will gladly get out there and do whatever we can to get rid of this pandemic. Believe me, we’re ready to move on,” Gregory said.