District 2 Public Health, in partnership with Lavonia Community Awareness, the Fannie Mae Simpson Foundation, Step of Faith and Family Connection, will host a COVID vaccine clinic April 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Spring Street Gym at 103 Spring St. in Lavonia.
By Samantha Sinclair
Staff Writer
LAVONIA — Appointments are now available for a Saturday vaccination clinic for anyone wishing to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
District 2 Public Health, in partnership with Lavonia Community Awareness, the Fannie Mae Simpson Foundation, Step of Faith and Family Connection, will host the clinic April 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Spring Street Gym at 103 Spring St.
Appointments are required for the clinic.
Dave Palmer, spokesperson for District 2, said all 13 of the district’s health departments are continuing to operate with appointments as eligibility recently changed to include everyone age 16 or older.
“We don’t have a good idea of what the demand for the vaccine may be with this expanded eligibility so we are continuing with appointments to make sure we manage our vaccine supply,” Palmer said.
The Franklin County Health Department has administered 6,106 doses of vaccine, Palmer said Tuesday afternoon.
He estimated that 3,300-3,600 people vaccinated by the health department were fully vaccinated.
He noted that these vaccination numbers may include people who do not live in Franklin County, but were vaccinated here.
He added the number does not include those vaccinated by another provider, like the hospital or a pharmacy.
According to the Department of Public Health’s dashboard, 2,809 residents, or 12 percent of the population, were fully vaccinated in Franklin County as of Tuesday.
Across the state, 1.5 million were fully vaccinated, or 15 percent of the population.
Palmer said the district has continued to get a steady supply of vaccines.
Although Georgia has administered more than four million vaccine doses, and administered one million doses from March 19 through April 3, Palmer said residents should remain cautious.
“It is too early in the vaccination process to reach herd immunity,” he said. “However, we encourage everyone who can to get vaccinated. This will help end the pandemic.”
Only the Pfizer vaccine is approved for those ages 16 and older.
Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines may only be given to those 18 and older.
Palmer said the vaccination clinics in Hall and Forsyth counties administer the Pfizer vaccine, as do some special clinics, like the one scheduled for the Spring Street Gym.
Palmer recommended that those who need the Pfizer vaccine get an appointment from a provider administering it on a regular basis.
To schedule an appointment for the Spring Street Gym clinic, call 888-426-5073 or visit tinyurl.com/d2Franklin.