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- Written by: Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
- Category: Press Room
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North Georgia—Join us in the fight against breast cancer. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and IT'S TIME to take action against this all-too-common cancer! Attend FREE awareness and screenings in the North Georgia Health District.
Did you know that one in eight women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer in her lifetime? Here are more breast cancer facts from the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.:
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancers.
- Approximately 30% of all new female cancer diagnoses in the United States are breast cancer.
- On average, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. every 2 minutes.
- Approximately 66% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at a localized stage before cancer has spread outside of the breast, when it is easiest to treat.
- The 5-year relative survival rate for cancer diagnosed at the localized stage is 99%.
- Approximately 15% of women diagnosed have a family history of breast cancer. Those with a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) with breast cancer are nearly twice as likely to develop breast cancer themselves.
Early detection is key in winning the fight against breast cancer!
Click here to see if you are eligible for free or low-cost screenings through our Breast and Cervical Cancer Program!
Meanwhile, don't miss out on critical breast cancer awareness and screening opportunities happening in October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Check out the upcoming events below AS THEY ARE POSTED at our County Health Departments, beginning with the first event listed for our Cherokee County Health Department Woodstock Health Center.
Let's make a difference together!
Cherokee County Health Department
Tuesday, October 21 and Thursday, October 23, 2025
The Cherokee County Health Department's Woodstock Health Center presents Breast Cancer Awareness Days on Tuesday, October 21st, from 7:30 AM to 5 PM and Thursday, October 23rd, from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Free Breast Checks and Referrals for Mammograms will be offered to all women ages 40 to 64 or to any woman who detects a concerning change in her breast(s). Appointments are required for these exams. Call (770) 928-0133.
Come learn about early detection of breast cancer through self-examinations and health screenings. Get to know the signs and symptoms that help detect breast cancer as early as possible. Eligible women can enroll in the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP), which covers the cost of a mammogram. Get a FREE Goodie Bag, Breast Cancer Awareness Literature, and the chance to Raffle for Prizes!
The health department's Woodstock Health Center is located at 7545 North Main Street, Suite 100, Woodstock, GA 30188. Click HERE to download & share our Woodstock BCA Flyer!
A promotional flyer that can be downloaded & shared is attached above to the county's BCA Day announcement!
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- Written by: Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
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North GA — This October, roll in for protection and cruise out with peace of mind! Our annual county health department Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics are back in North Georgia, making it easier than ever for residents 18 and older to steer clear of the flu. Just pull up, stay in your car, and let our local public health teams fuel up your defenses against the flu— all while remaining safe and comfortable in your vehicle.
Flu vaccines will be available at no cost through most health insurance plans. For those paying out of pocket, it’s still an affordable pit stop at $25 for a regular flu vaccine and $65 for the high-dose vaccine designed for those 65 and older.
Pull Over at a Clinic Near You
Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics will be offered by health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, and Whitfield counties on the following dates:
- Cherokee: Tuesday, 10/7, 8 am - 2 pm, Woodstock Health Center, 7545 North Main Street, Suite 100, Woodstock, GA 30188 | (770) 345-7371 / (770) 928-0133 | Link here to Flyer
- Fannin: Tuesday, 10/7, 8 am - 3 pm, Farmers Market, 811 Summit Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513 | (706) 632-3023 | Link here to Flyer
- Gilmer: Thursday, 10/2, 8 am - 2 pm, ETC Pavilion, 1041-1047 Legion Road, Ellijay, GA 30540 | (706) 635-4363 | Link here to Flyer
- Murray: Monday, 10/6, 9 am - 2 pm, Murray County Recreation Department, 651 Hyden Tyler Road, Chatsworth, GA 30705 | (706) 695-4585 | Link here to Flyer
- Whitfield: Thursday, 10/2, 8 am - 2 pm, Whitfield County Health Department (Upper Parking Lot), 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton, GA 30720 | (706) 279-9600 | Link here to Flyer
Residents who want a flu shot in Pickens County are encouraged to call the county health department in Jasper to schedule an appointment at (706) 253-2821.
Fueling Your Immunity
This season, the standard flu shot will be a trivalent vaccine, protecting against three circulating influenza strains:
- One influenza A(H1N1) virus
- One influenza A(H3N2) virus
- One influenza B/Victoria lineage virus
The high-dose vaccine, also trivalent, revs up protection with four times the antigen—ideal for those 65 and older who face the greatest risk of serious flu complications.
More Than Just a Quick Stop
These drive-thru clinics do more than help keep communities flu-free. They also serve as a live “test drive” for emergency preparedness. While vaccinating residents, health department and district staff team up with law enforcement, first responders, volunteers, and local agencies to practice setting up rapid-response Points of Distribution (PODs). These rehearsals ensure that, in the event of a public health crisis, medication and vaccines can be distributed quickly and safely.
Why Cruise Through This October?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu vaccination helps reduce illness, doctor visits, and time lost from work or school. More importantly, it prevents hospitalizations and protects loved ones who are especially vulnerable—like young children, older adults, pregnant women, and those with chronic conditions.
“Getting your flu shot is like putting good tires on before a long trip—you’re protecting yourself and everyone else on the road with you,” said Robin Coffey, BSN, RN, district Immunization Coordinator.
The best route to flu prevention is vaccination—and our convenient Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinics are the express lane to staying healthy all season. So, buckle up and cruise through one of our locations this October!
For more details and updates on the 2025–2026 influenza vaccine and the importance of vaccination, visit the CDC at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines.
Pump the brakes on flu this season – fuel your immunity at our Drive-thru Flu Shot Clinic nearest you!
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Click on Flyer to Download and Share!Schedule of Events:- 7:00 a.m. – Sign-in and on-site registration opens
- 8:00 a.m. – Tot Trot begins
- 8:05 a.m. – Fun Run begins
- 8:30 a.m. – 5K and 10K races begin
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- Written by: Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
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North GA — The North Georgia Health District’s Emergency Preparedness team is joining the nationwide effort to promote National Preparedness Month (September 2025). Under this year’s theme, “Preparedness Starts at Home,” residents of Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties are encouraged to take simple, effective steps to safeguard themselves, their families, and their communities.- Hits: 474
- CLOSED LABOR DAY, Mon. Sept. 1st
- Fannin County Environmental Health Office Relocating to West Main Street
- Gilmer County Health Department Moves to New Location, Enhancing Access to Care for All
- Cherokee County Health Dept. Centers Hold Back to School Health Clinics in July & August
- Closed July 4th — Stay Safe. Have FUN!
- Back To School Health Screenings & Immunizations Are Now Available!
- Closed in Honor & Celebration of Juneteenth, Thurs., 6/19/2025
- What YOU Should Know About Syphilis, North Georgians!
- FREE HIV Rapid Testing in Dalton, June 21st, Honoring National HIV Testing Day
- No Cost Summer Meals for Kids in Pickens County!