Flu shots are now available at health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties, according to North Georgia Health District officials; and, each county will soon conduct Drive-by Flu Shot Clinics: the quickest, most convenient method for immunization against the flu.

In addition to doses of the regular seasonal flu vaccine, health departments in five of the six counties within the district are offering high dose flu vaccine for people ages 65 and older. These counties include Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens and Whitfield.

The regular seasonal flu vaccine is $20 and the high dose flu shot is $50. At the Drive-by Flu Shot Clinics, the health departments are accepting cash, checks, Medicare and Medicaid as well as State Cigna and State United Healthcare Insurances.

Drive-by Flu Shot Clinic dates, times and locations are as follows:

- Cherokee - Tuesday, September 11, 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Woodstock Health Center, 7545 North Main Street, Woodstock; (770) 928-0133

- Fannin - Wednesday, September 26, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., The Farmers Market, East First Street, Blue Ridge; (706) 632-3023

- Gilmer - Each Friday in September, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Gilmer County Health Department, 28 Southside Church Street, Ellijay; (706) 635-4363

- Gilmer - Friday, October 5, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., First United Methodist Church of Ellijay, 75 McCutchen St, Ellijay; (706) 635-4363

- Murray - Tuesday, September 18, 8 a.m. -  5 p.m., Murray Recreation Center, 651 Hyden Tyler Rd. Chatsworth; (706) 695-4585
 
- Pickens - Wednesday, October 10,  8:30 a.m. -  4 p.m.,  Mount Zion Baptist Church, 1036 North Main Street, Jasper; (706) 253-2821

- Whitfield - Tuesday, October 2, 8:30 a.m. -  6 p.m., Whitfield County Health Department, 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton; (706) 226-2621

- Whitfield - Wednesday, October 3, 8:30 a.m. -  4 p.m., Whitfield County Health Department, 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton; (706) 226-2621

The drive-by clinics will also be an opportunity for North Georgia Health District health departments to test their ability to quickly administer medications to the public in a widespread public health crisis such as pandemic influenza. Therefore, residents who receive a flu shot at their local drive-by clinic will not only find the experience to be fast and efficient, but they also will be assisting in a mass emergency preparedness drill for their county.

According to the CDC, the yearly average number of people in the U.S. hospitalized due to influenza is over 200,000. The CDC estimates the annual number of flu-related deaths in the U.S. over the past 31 years has ranged from 3,000 to 49,000.
 
The best protection against influenza is a flu shot.
 
For more information about the upcoming Drive-by Flu Shot Clinics or about influenza and its prevention, please contact your local county health department or log onto www.cdc.gov/flu.
 Flu Shots Available in North Georgia