Georgia Coastal Health District

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Your best protection against the flu is now available in the Coastal Health District. The health departments in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh Counties are now offering the updated 2025-2026 flu vaccine. Supplies are limited in some locations as vaccine shipments continue to arrive, so call your local health department to confirm availability and schedule an appointment.

A yearly flu vaccine is the best way to prevent serious flu-related illness for everyone age 6 months and older. Vaccination is especially important for adults aged 65 and older, children younger than 2, pregnant women, and individuals with underlying conditions like asthma and chronic lung disease.

“Even if you’re strong and healthy, you should still consider vaccination to protect the people around you,” said Dr. Bonzo Reddick, Health Director of the Coastal Health District. “Flu can make anyone feel miserable. No one wants to be sick, especially as we move closer to holiday celebrations and family gatherings.”

The cost of flu vaccination is typically covered by insurance, and health departments accept many health insurance plans. There are low-cost vaccination options for individuals without health insurance coverage. Many health departments will offer special flu vaccination events later in the fall. Information about events will be added online throughout the season at coastalhealthdistrict.org/flu.

The following press release was issued by the Georgia Department of Public Health.

The Georgia Department of Public Health Office of EMS and Trauma, in partnership with Governor Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp, is launching voluntary training for EMS personnel on how to identify potential victims of human trafficking. The EMS training is in conjunction with Human Trafficking Prevention Month and provides an opportunity to raise awareness and combat this heinous crime.

As first responders, EMS personnel often have unique opportunities to encounter and assist victims of human trafficking. Their critical role makes it essential to recognize the signs, respond appropriately, and navigate the legal aspects of human trafficking. This voluntary training program is designed to empower EMS providers with the skills, tools, and knowledge they need to identify potential trafficking victims, provide effective support, and take informed action.

“EMS personnel are often the only public safety or healthcare providers to give care to victims of human trafficking,” said Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H. “This training offers EMS providers an opportunity to deepen their understanding of human trafficking, gain insight into relevant laws, and enhance their ability to support victims in their most vulnerable moments.”

EMS personnel can access the training at https://www.train.org/georgia/course/1126600/details.

In Georgia, more than 370 girls are trafficked each month. The average age of a human trafficking victim in Georgia is 14.8 years old. However, human trafficking affects all genders, all ages, and all social and economic groups.

“I want to thank both the team at DPH for their efforts in developing this training and all of our EMS personnel who do so much to promote the health of Georgians and help us fight human trafficking,” said Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp. “These brave first responders are in a critically important role, interacting with survivors in their most vulnerable moments. By knowing the signs and how to report them, they can go even further in their work to save lives.”

All Georgians are encouraged to take part in the First Lady’s Human Trafficking Awareness Training. The training is free and available online. 

To report suspected human trafficking in Georgia, call the Statewide 24-Hour Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-866-ENDHTGA (1-866-363-4842). If you have reason to believe that a victim is in imminent danger, call 911 or your local law enforcement agency to file a report. 

Working together, we can shine a light on human trafficking and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected.

Very cold weather is moving into the coastal Georgia area beginning Sunday, January 19, with temperatures dropping below freezing combined with a dangerous wind chill.

Remember the 4 “Ps” of winter weather safety during this cold snap.

• People: Ensure that everyone is dressed warmly before going outdoors. If you have family, friends, or neighbors who are especially vulnerable to cold weather, please check on them to be sure they’re warm and safe.
• Pets: Bring pets inside. If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them, too.
• Plants: Cover outdoor plants with cloth or bring them inside. Freezing temperatures can kill some plants.
• Pipes: Let your pipes drip. Having water move through the pipes will help prevent the water from freezing. A frozen pipe can burst causing property damage.

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As loved ones gather around the table for Thanksgiving this week, the Coastal Health District offers tips and reminders for ensuring a safe and healthy holiday feast. From preparing food, to serving, to storing leftovers, there are important food safety rules that can prevent you from ingesting bacteria that can make you sick.

Avoid Cross-Contamination

• If turkey is on the menu, keep the raw turkey and its juices separate from foods that won’t be cooked.
• Remember to fully clean and sanitize surfaces that come in contact with the uncooked meat and juices so bacteria from the turkey doesn’t cross-contaminate other food or surfaces.
• Avoid touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands – this includes food you’ve already cooked, or food that doesn’t have to be cooked. Be sure to use serving utensils or gloves so you don’t unknowingly contaminate the food with germs from your hands.

Proper Temperature

• Whether you’re frying or roasting your turkey, the key is to make sure the meat reaches a safe minimum temperature.
• A food thermometer can help you ensure the turkey is hot enough to effectively kill bacteria. The turkey needs to reach a temperature of at least 165 degrees in the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the thigh, and the innermost part of the wing.

Leftovers: The Two Hour Rule

• Once the food has been served, remember the two-hour rule. Perishable food should not sit at room temperature longer than two hours or harmful bacteria can develop. Refrigerate or freeze leftovers within two hours of serving.
• If you have leftover turkey, it’s a good idea to carve the bird into smaller pieces and place them into small, shallow containers so the meat can cool more evenly and quickly.
• When reheating the leftovers, only heat the amount you actually plan to eat at that time. For example, reheating an entire casserole dish and then cooling it back down multiple times isn’t a safe choice.
• Leftovers can be kept safely in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and the freezer for 2-6 months.