Hall County Health Department providing vaccines on Labor Day
News, Press Release August 30, 2021HALL COUNTY – Labor Day weekend will look a little different this year due to an increased need to be vaccinated due to the Delta surge. Hall County Health Department will be working on Labor Day to vaccinate the community.
On Friday, September 3, Governor Kemp is providing paid time off for state employees to receive their COVID-19 vaccines. For this reason, District 2 Public Health Departments will remain open from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm to vaccinate all state employees and the public.
On Monday, September 6, Hall County Health Department will be providing COVID-19 vaccinations and gas gift cards in the amount of fifty dollars for the first 100 Georgia residents, 18 years and older, that wish to receive their vaccine. The health department will be vaccinating from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. They will be closed for lunch from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.
As Labor Day approaches, it is as important as ever to avoid crowds, wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance. If you have not gotten a COVID-19 vaccine this is the weekend to get vaccinated.
To find more information regarding COVID-19 for your county, please visit phdistrict2.org.
District Two Cases by County
Banks
Cases (last 2 weeks): 137
Cases Per 100k (last 2 weeks): 686
Positive PCR Tests (last 2 weeks): 20.4%
Vaccines Administered: 9, 788
One Dose: 5,452(29% of residents)
Fully: 4,626 (25% of residents
Deaths (Duration of COVID): 44
Overall Hospitalizations (March 2020-Aug 31) : 234
Dawson
Cases (last 2 weeks): 375
Cases (last 2 weeks) Per 100k: 1388
Positive PCR Tests (last 2 weeks): 23.1%
Vaccines Administered: 17,662
One Dose: 9, 596 (39% of residents)
Fully: 8,423 (34% of residents)
Deaths (Duration of COVID): 49
Overall Hospitalizations (March 2020-Aug 31) : 276
Forsyth
Cases (last 2 weeks): 1,918
Cases (last 2 weeks) Per 100k: 760
Positive PCR Tests (last 2 weeks): 17.6%
Vaccines Administered: 236,504
One Dose: 125,601 (55% of residents)
Fully: 113,488 (50% of residents)
Deaths (Duration of COVID): 206
Overall Hospitalizations (March 2020-Aug 30) : 1,096
Franklin
Cases (last 2 weeks): 162
Cases (last 2 weeks) Per 100k: 694
Positive PCR Tests (last 2 weeks): 20.8%
Vaccines Administered: 14,552
One Dose: 8,086 (36% of residents)
Fully: 6,916 (30% of residents)
Deaths (Duration of COVID): 50
Overall Hospitalizations (March 2020-Aug 30) : 190
Habersham
Cases (last 2 weeks): 300
Cases (last 2 weeks) Per 100k: 655
Positive PCR Tests (last 2 weeks): 19.0%
Vaccines Administered: 31,352
One Dose: 17,448 (39% of residents)
Fully: 14,869 (33% of residents)
Deaths (Duration of COVID): 160
Overall Hospitalizations (March 2020-Aug 30) : 528
Hall
Cases (last 2 weeks): 1555
Cases (last 2 weeks) Per 100k: 754
Positive PCR Tests (last 2 weeks): 18.3%
Vaccines Administered: 160,642
One Dose: 87,756 (44% of residents)
Fully: 76,519 (39% of residents)
Deaths (Duration of COVID): 487
Overall Hospitalizations: 2,742
Hart
Cases (last 2 weeks): 126
Cases (last 2 weeks) Per 100k: 483
Positive PCR Tests (last 2 weeks): 18.1%
Vaccines Administered: 17,449
One Dose: 9,502 (37% of residents)
Fully: 8,314 (32% of residents)
Deaths (Duration of COVID): 40
Overall Hospitalizations (March 2020 -August 2021): 142
Lumpkin
Cases (last 2 weeks): 370
Cases (last 2 weeks) Per 100k: 1,095
Positive PCR Tests (last 2 weeks): 18.1%
Vaccines Administered: 20,990
One Dose: 11439 (35% of residents)
Fully: 10,011 (31% of residents)
Deaths (Duration of COVID): 73
Overall Hospitalizations (March 2020 -August 2021): 353
Rabun
Cases (last 2 weeks): 63
Cases (last 2 weeks) Per 100k: 371
Positive PCR Tests (last 2 weeks): 14.9%
Vaccines Administered: 14,613
One Dose: 7,750 (47% of residents)
Fully: 6,906 (41% of residents)
Deaths (Duration of COVID): 45
Overall Hospitalizations (March 2020 -August 2021): 174
Stephens
Cases (last 2 weeks): 253
Cases (last 2 weeks) Per 100k: 961
Positive PCR Tests (last 2 weeks): 27.8%
Vaccines Administered: 18,592
One Dose: 10,099 (39% of residents)
Fully: 8,687 (34% of residents)
Deaths (Duration of COVID): 80
Overall Hospitalizations (March 2020 -August 2021): 280
Towns
Cases (last 2 weeks): 103
Cases (last 2 weeks) Per 100k: 856
Positive PCR Tests (last 2 weeks): 26.2%
Vaccines Administered: 11,159
One Dose: 5,883 (51% of residents)
Fully: 5,343 (46% of residents)
Deaths (Duration of COVID): 52
Overall Hospitalizations (March 2020 -August 2021): 167
Union
Cases (last 2 weeks): 253
Cases (last 2 weeks) Per 100k: 999
Positive PCR Tests (last 2 weeks): 33.6%
Vaccines Administered: 20, 586
One Dose: 11,011 (47% of residents)
Fully: 9,962 (43% of residents)
Deaths (Duration of COVID): 83
Overall Hospitalizations (March 2020 -August 2021): 274
White
Cases (last 2 weeks): 339
Cases (last 2 weeks) Per 100k: 1,067
Positive PCR Tests (last 2 weeks): 24.5%
Vaccines Administered: 19,565
One Dose: 10,640 (36% of residents)
Fully: 9,334 (32% of residents)
Deaths (Duration of COVID): 76
Overall Hospitalizations (March 2020 -August 2021): 343
FDA fully approves Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
News, Press Release August 23, 2021Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and will now be marketed as Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee), for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. The vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA), including for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.
“The FDA’s approval of this vaccine is a milestone as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. While this and other vaccines have met the FDA’s rigorous, scientific standards for emergency use authorization, as the first FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine, the public can be very confident that this vaccine meets the high standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality the FDA requires of an approved product,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D. “While millions of people have already safely received COVID-19 vaccines, we recognize that for some, the FDA approval of a vaccine may now instill additional confidence to get vaccinated. Today’s milestone puts us one step closer to altering the course of this pandemic in the U.S.”
Since Dec. 11, 2020, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine has been available under EUA in individuals 16 years of age and older, and the authorization was expanded to include those 12 through 15 years of age on May 10, 2021. EUAs can be used by the FDA during public health emergencies to provide access to medical products that may be effective in preventing, diagnosing, or treating a disease, provided that the FDA determines that the known and potential benefits of a product, when used to prevent, diagnose, or treat the disease, outweigh the known and potential risks of the product.
FDA-approved vaccines undergo the agency’s standard process for reviewing the quality, safety and effectiveness of medical products. For all vaccines, the FDA evaluates data and information included in the manufacturer’s submission of a biologics license application (BLA). A BLA is a comprehensive document that is submitted to the agency providing very specific requirements. For Comirnaty, the BLA builds on the extensive data and information previously submitted that supported the EUA, such as preclinical and clinical data and information, as well as details of the manufacturing process, vaccine testing results to ensure vaccine quality, and inspections of the sites where the vaccine is made. The agency conducts its own analyses of the information in the BLA to make sure the vaccine is safe and effective and meets the FDA’s standards for approval.
Comirnaty contains messenger RNA (mRNA), a kind of genetic material. The mRNA is used by the body to make a mimic of one of the proteins in the virus that causes COVID-19. The result of a person receiving this vaccine is that their immune system will ultimately react defensively to the virus that causes COVID-19. The mRNA in Comirnaty is only present in the body for a short time and is not incorporated into – nor does it alter – an individual’s genetic material. Comirnaty has the same formulation as the EUA vaccine and is administered as a series of two doses, three weeks apart.
“Our scientific and medical experts conducted an incredibly thorough and thoughtful evaluation of this vaccine. We evaluated scientific data and information included in hundreds of thousands of pages, conducted our own analyses of Comirnaty’s safety and effectiveness, and performed a detailed assessment of the manufacturing processes, including inspections of the manufacturing facilities,” said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. “We have not lost sight that the COVID-19 public health crisis continues in the U.S. and that the public is counting on safe and effective vaccines. The public and medical community can be confident that although we approved this vaccine expeditiously, it was fully in keeping with our existing high standards for vaccines in the U.S.”
FDA Evaluation of Safety and Effectiveness Data for Approval for 16 Years of Age and Older
The first EUA, issued Dec. 11, for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for individuals 16 years of age and older was based on safety and effectiveness data from a randomized, controlled, blinded ongoing clinical trial of thousands of individuals.
To support the FDA’s approval decision today, the FDA reviewed updated data from the clinical trial which supported the EUA and included a longer duration of follow-up in a larger clinical trial population.
Specifically, in the FDA’s review for approval, the agency analyzed effectiveness data from approximately 20,000 vaccine and 20,000 placebo recipients ages 16 and older who did not have evidence of the COVID-19 virus infection within a week of receiving the second dose. The safety of Comirnaty was evaluated in approximately 22,000 people who received the vaccine and 22,000 people who received a placebo 16 years of age and older.
Based on results from the clinical trial, the Pfizer vaccine was 91% effective in preventing COVID-19 disease.
More than half of the clinical trial participants were followed for safety outcomes for at least four months after the second dose. Overall, approximately 12,000 recipients have been followed for at least 6 months.
The most commonly reported side effects by those clinical trial participants who received Comirnaty were pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle or joint pain, chills, and fever. The vaccine is effective in preventing COVID-19 and potentially serious outcomes including hospitalization and death.
Additionally, the FDA conducted a rigorous evaluation of the post-authorization safety surveillance data pertaining to myocarditis and pericarditis following administration of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and has determined that the data demonstrate increased risks, particularly within the seven days following the second dose. The observed risk is higher among males under 40 years of age compared to females and older males. The observed risk is highest in males 12 through 17 years of age. Available data from short-term follow-up suggest that most individuals have had resolution of symptoms. However, some individuals required intensive care support. Information is not yet available about potential long-term health outcomes. The Comirnaty Prescribing Information includes a warning about these risks.
Ongoing Safety Monitoring
The FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have monitoring systems in place to ensure that any safety concerns continue to be identified and evaluated in a timely manner. In addition, the FDA is requiring the company to conduct postmarketing studies to further assess the risks of myocarditis and pericarditis following vaccination with Comirnaty. These studies will include an evaluation of long-term outcomes among individuals who develop myocarditis following vaccination with Comirnaty. In addition, although not FDA requirements, the company has committed to additional post-marketing safety studies, including conducting a pregnancy registry study to evaluate pregnancy and infant outcomes after receipt of Comirnaty during pregnancy.
The FDA granted this application Priority Review. The approval was granted to BioNTech Manufacturing GmbH.
Related Information
Health department announces changes COVID-19 vaccination schedule changes
News, Press Release April 20, 2021GAINESVILLE – Several District 2 Public Health Departments are adjusting their Covid-19 vaccination schedules. This will allow the county health departments to continue vaccinations and expand hours for other health department services.
Changes to vaccination schedules – start date, location, and days for vaccination:
Union County
Will move to the health department, 67 Chase Dr., Blairsville, on April 26. This week vaccinations will be available Monday to Friday. However, beginning on May 4, vaccinations will be available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only. Walk-ins will be accepted from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The clinic will close for lunch from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm.
Towns County
Moved back to the health department, 1104 Jack Dayton Cir., Hiawassee on April 19. Vaccination are being administered on Wednesday only. Walk-ins will be accepted from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The clinic will close for lunch from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm.
Banks County
Will remain at Grove Level Church, 1702 Grove Level Rd, Maysville. However, beginning May 10, the clinic will only operate on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Walk-in will be accepted from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The clinic will close from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm for lunch.
Franklin County
Will remain at the Franklin County Recreation Center, 557 Rocky Ford Rd., Carnesville. Beginning May 3, the clinic will only operate on Monday and Tuesday. Walk-ins will be accepted from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The clinic will close for lunch from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm.
Habersham County
Will remain at Ruby Fulbright Center, 120 Paul Franklin Rd, Clarkesville through May 7. Beginning May 3, the clinic will operate only on Monday and Thursday. Then, on May 10, the clinic will move back to the health department at 185 Scoggins Dr., Demorest. After the move to the health department, the clinic will operate on Wednesday only. Walk-ins will be accepted from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The clinic will close for lunch from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm.
Hart County
Will remain at Flat Shoals Church, 2999 Bowersville Hwy, Bowersville. Beginning May 3, the clinic will operate only on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Walk-ins will be accepted from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. on Tuesday and Thursday and on Friday from 9:00 am to 10:00 am. The clinic will close for lunch from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm. On Friday, the clinic will close at 12:00 pm.
Rabun County
Moved back to the health department (upper level), 184 S. Main St., Clayton on April 19. Vaccinations are available on Tuesday and Thursday. Walk-ins will be accepted from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The clinic will close for lunch from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm.
Stephens County
Stephens County will continue at St. Matthias Church, 995 E. Tugalo St., Toccoa. Beginning May 3, vaccination will be available on Tuesday and Thursday only. Walk-ins will be accepted from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The clinic will close for lunch from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm.
White County
Will move back to the health department, 1331 Helen Hwy, Cleveland, on May 3. Vaccinations will then be available on Tuesday only. Walk-ins will be accepted from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The clinic will close for lunch from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm.
Appointments are still recommended and can be made by calling 1-888-426-5073 or online at https://gta-vras.powerappsportals.us
No Change to vaccination schedules:
Dawson County Veteran’s Park, 186 Recreation Drive, Dawsonville Monday – Friday
Forsyth County Cumming Fairground, 235 Castleberry Rd, Cumming Monday – Friday
Hall County UNG – Gainesville, 3280 Mundy Mill Rd., Oakwood Monday – Friday
Lumpkin County Senior Center, 266 Mechanicsville Rd., Dahlonega Monday – Friday
District 2 public health announces appointments available for vaccine
Community, News, Press Release March 8, 2021GAINESVILLE – The 13 District 2 county health departments have appointments available now for the COVID-19 vaccine. “Recent shipments have given us enough vaccine to open up more appointments for residents,” said Alan Satterfield, Director of Nursing. “We hope that residents who are eligible to be vaccinated will take this opportunity to make an appointment.” Eligible residents can make appointments by calling 1-888-426-5073 OR online at www.phdistrict2.org OR by calling their local health department.
To see if you are eligible, go to https://dph.georgia.gov/
On March 8, eligibility was expanded to include pre-K through 12 educators and staff of public and private schools, adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their caregivers, and parents of children with complex medical conditions.
District 2 Health Department outlines how to register for the COVID-19 vaccine
Community, News January 6, 2021GAINESVILLE, Ga – Public Health Department District 2 provided instructions for those who are now eligible to sign up to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Last week, Governor Brian Kemp and DPH Director Kathleen Toomey added adults aged 65 and older, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responders to the current group of individuals eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccination in Phase 1-A.
Sign up online at www.phdistrict2.org
To provide the vaccine in a safe environment, they ask everyone to follow these steps.
- Vaccines are for residents who live or work in the counties that comprise District 2
- Vaccines will be given by appointment ONLY – Walk-ins will not be accepted
- They will limit the number of people in enclosed spaces by observing recommended social distances to prevent the spread of illness
- Come to the appointment as close to the allotted time as possible to reduce the number of people in the waiting area (patients may be asked to wait outside or in their car if too early)
- If patients have insurance, please bring your card. Insurance will help pay to offset the cost of administering the vaccine.
- There will be no cost to anyone to get vaccinated.
- People should plan to remain for post-vaccination observation for up to 30-minutes
- Prior to vaccination, a review of product-specific safety information and consent will be required
- Both Moderna and Pfizer vaccine require two-doses – appointments are required for both doses
- Please understand patients will receive the vaccine that is available (Pfizer or Moderna)
A call center number will be available on Monday, January 11 for those who do not have access to online registration.
District 2 serves Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Habersham, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, and White.
Image courtesy of Lisa Ferdinando from the Office of the Secretary of Defense.