Beginning Monday, October 19, North Georgia Health District county health departments will expand the provision of their limited supply of H1N1 nasal-spray vaccine to include healthy people ages 2 to 24 years old.

The health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties will provide the vaccine at no charge. However, an administrative fee may be charged through Medicare, Medicaid, and all third party insurance including State Health Benefit plans for United Healthcare and Cigna. Persons are asked to bring their insurance cards with them at the time of service.

Service is based on a first-come, first-served basis until the current vaccine supply is depleted. The 2009 H1N1 vaccine will not protect you from the seasonal flu. People should get both kinds of flu vaccine to protect themselves from getting sick. You cannot get the flu by taking this vaccine.

However, the nasal spray (live, attenuated influenza vaccine, or LAIV) sometimes produces mild side effects. The most common side effects are runny nose, wheezing, sore throat, nasal congestion, and fever. These are rare and less severe than any problems created by actually having the flu.

The nasal spray also should not be given to the following:
• Children that are younger than 2 years old,
• Children and adults with asthma or recurrent wheezing problems,
• Children receiving treatments containing aspirin or steroids,
• Children and adults with sensitivity to eggs, egg proteins, gentamicin, gelatin or arginine,
• Children and adults who have a muscle, nerve, or seizure disorder that could lead to breathing or swallowing problems,
• Children and adults who have a weakened immune system or any other chronic conditions.
• Persons who have received an injectable live virus vaccine (e.g., MMR, varicella) in the past 4 weeks – they should wait 28 days before receiving live nasal spray vaccine, and
• Live nasal spray vaccine for seasonal flu and live nasal spray vaccine for 2009 H1N1 flu should be separated by a minimum of four weeks.

Residents are asked to contact their local county health department for specific information about seasonal and novel H1N1 vaccinations (phone numbers are listed below.)
Georgia H1N1 Vaccine Provider Locator now available
Novel H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) Facts and Recommendations (English & Spanish)

Seasonal Flu Shots are still available at local health departments for $20.

Contact numbers and regular hours of operation for local health departments are:

Cherokee County Health Department
Canton Office - 770-345-7371
Woodstock Office - 770-928-0133
Clinic Hours:
Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm

Fannin County Health Department
706-632-3023
Clinic Hours:
Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm
closed for lunch from 12pm-1pm

Gilmer County Health Department
706-635-4363
Clinic Hours:
Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm

Murray County Health Department
706-695-4585
Clinic Hours:
Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm

Pickens County Health Departments
706-253-2821
Clinic Hours:
Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm
Closed for lunch from 12pm-1pm

Whitfield County Health Department
706-279-9600
Clinic Hours:
Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm

Start Date: April 28th, 2009 at 12:00 p.m
Location: Murray County Health Department

More information to come... ...