Nearly nine months into a global pandemic, a COVID-19 vaccine has been created, and it’s here in Fannin County.
Wednesday, December 23, Georgia Mountains Health received ten doses of what is the first round of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
The vaccine must be administered in two sessions, 28 days apart.
Although it is here, and Georgia Mountains Health isn’t the only office in the area to have received some of it, it isn’t available to the general public at this time.
“The Department of Health in Georgia has criteria for who is eligible for the vaccine, at what time,” Georgia Mountains Health Chief Executive Officer Steven Miracle said.
Health care workers, first responders, long-term care residents and long-term care workers will be the first to receive the vaccine, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health’s (DPH) COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Plan.
Essential workers will be next, along with individuals with a high risk of contracting the virus. This includes persons 75 and older and 65 and older with significant comorbidities and their caregivers.
Next on the list is other essential workers and adults below age 65 with significant comorbidities.
However, individuals with severe allergies and conditions will not be eligible to receive the vaccine, Miracle said.
Of the shot, Miracle said it is very similar to receiving the flu vaccine.
“It goes in the arm, and the side effects, they’re saying are minimal, at least on the first shot,” he said.
“You get the shot, then you have to wait 15 minutes to make sure there isn’t an immediate reaction.”
The vaccine is free through the federal government, but providers are able to charge an administration fee; however, Miracle plans to offer the injection to patients free.
“To be part of the solution and getting the vaccine ... is very rewarding,” Miracle said.
Georgia Mountains Health currently offers drive-thru COVID-19 tests Monday through Friday, but an appointment must be scheduled ahead of time.
They are reachable at 706-946-4647.
Additionally, Fannin County Health Department has received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and have begun the steps of vaccinating.
“Because initial COVID-19 vaccine supplies are limited, the Georgia Department of Public Health at the state and local level is following the recommendations of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices by prioritizing the vaccine for healthcare personnel and residents of long-term care facilities,” Jennifer King, North Georgia Health District public information officer and risk communicator, said.
“The North Georgia Health District will also make vaccine available to local hospitals as those facilities await their own deliveries. ... Currently, we believe it may be available to the general population as early as this spring, and we are collaborating with local partners on the best method of administration when that time comes.”
The Fannin County Health Department will begin offering COVID-19 tests to only symptomatic first responders, school employees and court staff starting January 11.
As of Wednesday, December 30, 61,870 vaccines had been administered across the state of Georgia – this includes the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.
View the Georgia DPH’s COVID-19 Vaccine Status Dashboard, which is updated Monday through Friday at 6 p.m., at www.dph.georgia.gov/covid-vaccine.
Fannin County School System nurses also had the option to receive the initial Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Wednesday, December 23, at Union County Health Department.