Health District Distributing Vaccine
The Southeast Georgia Department of Health has announced plans to add adults aged 65 and older, law enforcement officers, firefighters and first responders to the group eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine in Phase 1A.
With much of the healthcare community having received their COVID-19 vaccine, the Southeast Health District will begin scheduling vaccine appointments for those in the expanded definition of Phase 1A. Effective Jan. 11, Phase 1A is defined as healthcare workers in clinical settings, staff and residents of long-term care facilities, law enforcement and fire personnel and adults aged 65 and older (and their caregivers as applicable). If eligible, call 1-855-473-4374 to schedule an appointment. Vaccinations will be available at four clinics at health departments in Appling, Bulloch, Coffee and Ware counties.
The Georgia Department of Public Health is following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. States have the flexibility to tailor the recommendations based on specific needs and available vaccine.
Leading the way in our public health workforce in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine was Dr. Rosemarie D. Parks, District Health Director for the Southeast Health District. Upon receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, Dr. Parks said, “I wanted to be vaccinated to protect myself and those around me who are at risk. This simple act can have such an impact on the health of individuals and those with whom they come into contact.” When asked about any discomfort, Dr. Parks said, “It did not even hurt! It was like I blinked, and we were
finished.” Her experience is much like others across the district who have had positive vaccine experiences.
Vaccine information will be communicated through various avenues, including state and local press releases, the Georgia Department of Public Health website (dph.ga.gov), Southeast Health District Facebook page, county-specific Facebook pages and Southeast Health District website (www.sehdph.org).
