Georgia Coastal Health District

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Public health departments in the Coastal Health District are now offering the updated COVID vaccine for the 2025-26 respiratory virus season. 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.

The health departments in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh Counties will offer the Pfizer brand of COVID vaccine which is approved for use in individuals 5 years of age and older.

Vaccination is particularly beneficial for adults age 65 and older and individuals of any age with health conditions that increase their risk of getting very sick from COVID infection. Risk factors include cancer, lung disease, diabetes, heart conditions, overweight and obesity, pregnancy, and more. For a list of potential risk factors for COVID-related complications, visit the website cdc.gov/covid/risk-factors.

No prescription is needed to receive a COVID vaccine. According to the latest CDC guidance, individuals may make their own informed decisions after receiving information about the COVID vaccine.

The cost of COVID vaccination is covered by most health insurance plans, and low-cost vaccination options are available for individuals without health insurance coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

Who is eligible to receive the new COVID vaccine at the health department?

• The health department is offering the 2025-26 vaccine by Pfizer which is approved for use in individuals 5 years of age and older.

What about children younger than 5? Can they get vaccinated?

• The COVID vaccine by Moderna has been approved for use in children from 6 months to 4 years of age but is not available in the health departments of the Coastal Health District. Please check with your pediatrician’s office or local pharmacy to see if they have the Moderna vaccine for young children.

I thought only older individuals or those at high risk could get vaccinated.

• The latest CDC guidance emphasizes that the benefits of vaccination are highest for those people most at risk of severe illness from COVID infection. However, individuals may make their own informed decisions after receiving information about the COVID vaccine.

Who is considered at high risk for COVID-related complications?

• Individuals over age 65 are at highest risk of getting very sick from COVID, and more than 81% of deaths from COVID complications occur in people over age 65.
• Certain health conditions increase a person’s risk of severe illness from COVID at any age, including cancer, lung disease, diabetes, heart conditions, overweight and obesity, pregnancy, and more.
• For a list of potential risk factors for COVID-related complications, visit the website cdc.gov/covid/risk-factors.

Do I need a prescription to get a COVID vaccine?

• No prescription is needed to receive a COVID vaccine. According to the latest CDC guidance, individuals may make their own informed decisions after receiving information about the COVID vaccine.

How much will the COVID vaccine cost at the health department?

• Most health insurance plans will cover the cost of COVID vaccination, including plans through Medicaid and Medicare. The health department also has low-cost vaccination options for individuals without health insurance coverage.

My health department doesn’t have the COVID vaccine I need in stock. What can I do?

• Most communities have several options for COVID vaccination through doctor’s offices and retail pharmacies, particularly for individuals with health insurance coverage.
• Each of our county health departments gets a very limited supply of vaccine we can use for patients without insurance coverage each month. If your county health department does not have low-cost doses available for individuals without insurance, you may want to call around to some of the neighboring counties to see if they have the low-cost vaccine in stock. Click here for contact information for all the county health departments in the Coastal Health District.

Beginning February 1^st, all COVID-19 testing services by the Coastal Health District will shift to two regional testing sites. All testing through public health will be offered in Chatham and Glynn Counties. Public Health will no longer offer COVID-19 testing in Bryan, Camden, Effingham, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh counties after this week.

In addition to public health sites, COVID-19 testing is also available through many private providers, pharmacies, urgent care centers, and health clinics.

“We have to shift our priorities to better meet the demand for COVID-19 vaccine,” said District Health Director, Dr. Lawton Davis. “As much as we’d like to do it all, our smaller counties don’t have the capacity to operate testing sites, give COVID-19 vaccines, and provide core public health services. Fortunately, there are several other resources available for testing outside of public health.”

Testing at the Glynn County Health Department is by appointment only. Testing at the Savannah Civic Center in Chatham County does not require an appointment, but you must pre-register.

The COVID-19 Testing Call Center Hours will also change. Starting Monday, February 1^st, the Testing Call Center will be operational from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Friday.

For more information on COVID-19 testing or vaccine, go to covid19.gachd.org.