Written by Jennifer King, Public Information Officer

Category: Press Room

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NORTH GEORGIA – Now, adults aged 60 and above may receive a single dose of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine at the North Georgia Health District public health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties.

RSV is a prevalent respiratory virus that is typically responsible for mild, cold-like symptoms; however, in infants and older adults, it has the potential to develop into a severe condition. 

According to the CDC, people 60 or older should have a Shared Clinical Decision-Making (SCDM) conversation with their healthcare provider about the RSV vaccine. The healthcare provider might recommend RSV vaccination for them, especially if they have weakened immune systems due to illness (e.g., leukemia or HIV infection), are on certain medications (e.g., cancer treatment or organ transplants), have chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease, or are residing in a nursing home. Such individuals are at higher risk of severe RSV disease, and vaccination is a vital preventive measure.

Our health departments are especially urging people ages 65 and above to receive the vaccine since adults in this age group experience approximately 60,000-160,000 hospitalizations and 6,000-10,000 fatalities each year in the U.S. due to RSV.

The vaccination effectively averts future respiratory ailments, even for individuals with a prior RSV infection. While there is no specific waiting period after an RSV infection, if a person is experiencing moderate or severe illness, they should recover fully before receiving the RSV vaccine. People with minor ailments, such as colds, can receive the vaccine if they are eligible.

Most Medicare Part D plans cover the cost of the RSV vaccine.

For contact information, clinic hours, and address of a county health department in the North Georgia Health District, click HERE to our homepage, then click on the county name.

For more details about the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine, please visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/rsv/index.html. Join us in taking proactive steps to protect our community's health.

Created: 22 September 2023

Last Updated: 18 October 2023

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• UPDATE: New RSV Vaccine is Now Available for Adults 60+ at Health Departments in North GA

Written by Jennifer King, Public Information Officer

Category: Press Room

This is our September 2023 issue of the North Georgia Health District Newsletter: Emergency Preparedness. This newsletter is currently issued every other month and highlights our health district’s Emergency Preparedness efforts with state and local partners to help prepare our communities for disaster. Please link to the full issue by clicking the image below. To see all issues our Emergency Preparedness newsletter, please click HERE.

Created: 20 September 2023

Last Updated: 20 September 2023

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Written by Jennifer King, Public Information Officer

Category: Press Room

Saturday, September 30, 2023

Express Your SuperPower 5K/10K: 

Race starts at 8 am!

Includes a walk and a free Tot Trot for the littles (great photo op)

Etowah River Park, Canton GA

Registration is now open!!

GO TO THIS LINK FOR ALL INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION:

www.expressyoursuperpower5k.com

 

Northwest Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition and Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition present the 9th Annual 5K/10K on September 30, 2023.  Georgia is in desperate need of a milk bank to provide safe and donated breastmilk to infants who are unable to receive it from their biological mothers, ensuring they receive vital nutrition and immune protection.  Proceeds of this event will go to support the MedMilk project, building Georgia’s Milk Bank.

This race also directs attention to the global World Breastfeeding Week campaign that aims to inform, anchor, engage, and galvanize action on breastfeeding and related issues.  In the end, our breastfeeding families are given the resources and support they need to make informed decisions on promoting the health of their children.  This year, in harmony with all the various World Breastfeeding Week campaign themes, all our race funds will be dedicated to the development of this new milk bank for Georgia.

 

Another year has passed, and the momentum has started for our 2023 breastfeeding 5K/10K to be once again held in Canton, GA on Saturday, September 30. We hope everyone will don their superpower cape and costume to come join us at this annual event that's fun for the whole family! Each year, we use this occasion to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week, and we are excited to announce that we have a new goal this year as to where the funds we raise will be going. All proceeds from the run will go to support the newly formed MedMilk Project, Building Georgia’s Milk Bank. Georgia is the only state in the Southeast without a milk bank despite an awareness of the sobering statistics showing that we have the 3^rd highest Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) mortality rate in the United States. Our families need equitable access to pasteurized, human donor milk provided by an Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA)-affiliated nonprofit milk bank for our most medically fragile preterm infants. MedMilk is in the process of applying to become a ‘milk bank in development’ with the HMBANA and needs our help to raise funds to support strategic planning.

- Carol Hendrix, BS, IBCLC, WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator, North Georgia Health District 1-2  

Created: 14 September 2023

Last Updated: 20 September 2023

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Written by Jennifer King, Public Information Officer

Category: Press Room

Ver opción en Español en la parte superior de esta página

North GA – Babies Can't Wait (BCW), a vital program within the Women and Children's Health Services division of the Georgia Department of Public Health, is committed to providing comprehensive early intervention services to infants and toddlers with special needs, aged from birth to three years, as well as their families. As Georgia's Part C early intervention program, BCW focuses on empowering family members and caregivers to optimize children's learning and development through everyday opportunities.

At their recent statewide summit meeting held in mid-August, themed "Reimagining & Rebuilding Early Intervention in Georgia," the Babies Can’t Wait program proudly recognized and expressed deep gratitude to the exceptional staff in health districts who have made invaluable contributions to the children and families they serve. During the summit, awards were bestowed upon numerous staff members whose outstanding work truly embodies the spirit of the theme.

Several of the awards were presented to Babies Can’t Wait staff from the North Georgia Health District.

Kevin Byrd, DPH BCW Director/Part C Coordinator, poses with Early Intervention Coordinator of the Year Award recipient, Lois BlockleyLois Blockley, Early Intervention Coordinator (EIC) of the Year Award. This award goes to the Early Intervention Coordinator who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to provide outstanding services and support to Early Intervention staff and families.

Lois Blockley, Babies Can’t Wait Early Intervention Coordinator for the North Georgia Health District, has proven herself to be an exceptional leader, consistently going above and beyond to support her district, families, and providers. Lois's patience and unwavering support to her team have helped her colleagues grow and gain confidence in their positions. Her availability and responsiveness, often answering emails and phone calls within minutes, demonstrate her dedication to providing the support needed. With a genuine heart for the families served by her program, Lois goes the extra mile to ensure they receive the assistance they require.

Throughout the years, Lois’s strong and supportive leadership skills have remained constant. She consistently refers to policy when making decisions for the district, displaying confidence in her choices while also acknowledging and rectifying any mistakes. Lois's patience and teaching abilities shine through when training providers and new staff members, making her an invaluable mentor and Early Intervention Coordinator. Those fortunate enough to work with Lois can attest to the immense knowledge and growth they have gained under her guidance.

Created: 07 September 2023

Last Updated: 22 September 2023

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