Georgia Coastal Health District

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is closely monitoring the emergence of a new COVID variant first detected in southern Africa. The variant has not been detected in Georgia at this time.

Named Omicron by the World Health Organization (WHO), the variant has a large number of mutations. Scientists are studying the variant to determine how quickly and easily it spreads, whether it causes more severe illness and how well the current COVID vaccines will protect against it. So far, a few dozen COVID cases caused by Omicron have been identified in South Africa, Hong Kong, Israel and Belgium.

“What is known is that COVID vaccination helps stop transmission of infection which prevents new variants from emerging,” said Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H., commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health. “Vaccination is more important than ever with the emergence of this new variant and the holidays just around the corner.”

All Georgians over the age of 5 are now eligible for COVID vaccination. Booster doses of vaccine are recommended for adults 18 and older who have completed their first series of vaccine.

Individuals who have symptoms of COVID or who may have been exposed to someone with COVID should get tested. Based on available data, PCR testing can detect the presence of the Omicron variant.

Click the following links for more information about free testing and vaccination in the Coastal Health District:

• COVID-19 Vaccination
• COVID-19 Testing

Follow COVID-19 and Flu Prevention Measures

The COVID vaccine has helped make celebrating upcoming holidays together with family and friends possible again. To keep yourself and your loved ones safe, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) urges all Georgians to plan ahead and take steps to reduce risk of exposure to COVID-19 and the flu as they celebrate.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend several ways to enjoy holiday traditions while protecting your health. 

• The best protection against COVID and the flu is vaccination, and the vaccines can be administered at the same time. People are considered fully vaccinated for COVID two weeks after their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, or two weeks after the single-dose J&J COVID-19 vaccine. Likewise, it takes about two weeks after getting a flu vaccine for antibodies that protect against flu to develop in the body.
• For young children who aren’t yet eligible for the COVID vaccine, reduce the risk of exposure by making sure the people around them are vaccinated.

• Wear well-fitting masks over your nose and mouth if you are in public indoor settings if you are not fully vaccinated. People who are fully vaccinated should wear a mask in public indoor settings in communities with substantial to high transmission.
• Outdoor activities are safer than indoor activities.
• Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.
• If you are sick or have symptoms of COVID-19 or the flu, don’t host or attend a gathering.
• Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have a close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
• If you are not fully vaccinated for COVID and must travel, follow the CDC’s recommendations.
• Everyone, even people who are fully vaccinated for COVID, is required to wear a mask on public transportation and follow international travel recommendations.

Fifty-one percent of Georgians are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 which means every crowd is a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals and the risk of COVID transmission exists, especially the delta variant which is more contagious and can cause more severe illness than other variants. DPH is closely monitoring COVID case increases in Europe and parts of the United States. Additionally, surveillance in Georgia indicates flu activity is increasing in some areas.

Holiday traditions are important for families and children. By working together, we can enjoy safer holidays, travel, and protect our own health as well as the health of our family and friends.

To find a COVID or flu vaccine location in your area, visit vaccinefinder.org.

For more information about safely celebrating this holiday season, log on to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/celebrations.html.

Beginning Monday, November 8th, three clinics in the Coastal Health District will offer a pediatric dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children aged 5-11 as recommended by the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Appointments can be scheduled for the following locations:

• Chatham Co. Health Dept. Annex (former EmployAbility building) – 1249 Eisenhower Dr.
• Chatham Co. Health Dept. main clinic – 1395 Eisenhower Dr.
• Glynn Co. Health Department – 2747 Fourth St., Brunswick

You do not have to be a resident of the county to be vaccinated in each location. Additional pediatric vaccination sites may be offered soon.

There is no out-of-pocket cost for the vaccination regardless of insurance status. Appointments are required and can be scheduled online at chdcovidvax.org. For assistance, you may also call our COVID-19 Vaccination Phone Bank at 912-230-5506 Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

“The availability of pediatric vaccine is an important milestone for children and for the entire community,” says Dr. Lawton Davis, Health Director of the Coastal Health District. “Some children have become seriously ill with COVID-19, particularly with the Delta variant, and some are still experiencing ‘long COVID’ with lingering symptoms. Vaccination is an important protection against severe illness for children as well as adults.”

The pediatric vaccine contains a smaller dose and is given with a smaller needle. The lower dose also seems to produce milder side effects in kids while still creating a strong immune response.

For more information, talk with your child’s pediatrician or visit the website of the CDC.

Health Departments in the Coastal Health District will begin offering booster shots of Moderna and Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccines on Tuesday, October 26^th. The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have now recommended booster doses for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States.

Not every health department has every brand of COVID-19 vaccine, so we encourage residents to check our scheduling website, chdcovidvax.org, to see which vaccines are available at each location.

If you need assistance with scheduling, you may call our COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at 912-230-5506. The call center is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Beginning Monday, Sept. 27, the Coastal Health District will offer Pfizer booster shots as recommended by the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Georgia Department of Public Health. Booster doses have been approved for the following individuals who received Pfizer vaccine more than six months ago:

• Individuals aged 65 and older,
• Residents in long-term care settings,
• Individuals aged 18 and older with certain underlying medical conditions, and
• Individuals aged 18 and older who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure because of where they work or live.

Booster shots have not yet been approved for anyone who received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccines. Please note: not every health department has Pfizer vaccine available. The following locations do offer Pfizer vaccine by appointment, and can give booster doses to eligible individuals. Dates and hours vary at each location.

• Chatham Co. Health Dept. Annex (former EmployAbility building) – 1249 Eisenhower Dr.
• West Chatham Site @ Gulfstream – 171 Crossroads Parkway, Savannah
• Savannah Fire Station #3 – 121 East Oglethorpe Ave., Savannah
• Glynn Co. Health Department – 2747 Fourth St., Brunswick
• Effingham Co. Health Department – 802 Hwy. 119 South, Springfield
• Liberty Co. Health Dept. – 1113 East Oglethorpe Hwy., Hinesville

Please visit chdcovidvax.org for more details and to schedule an appointment. For assistance, you may also call our COVID-19 Vaccination Phone Bank at 912-230-5506 Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The Coastal Health District continues to stress the importance of vaccination for all Georgians aged 12 and older. Vaccination is our best tool to protect lives and stop the spread of COVID-19 in our state.