Candler County Health Department

We are excited to announce that we are reactivating our appointment scheduling process for COVID-19 vaccinations! If you are eligible under the Phase 1A expansion, you may call 1-855-473-4374 to schedule an appointment to receive your COVID-19 vaccine. You may also visit https://www.sehdph.org/reactivating-our-covid-19-vaccinati/ for more information concerning vaccination appointment scheduling. Please be aware that we may have to pause scheduling again in the future based ...on vaccine availability. If you had a previously scheduled appointment to receive your first or second vaccine dose, your appointment still stands. Please reach out to us if you had a previously scheduled vaccination appointment at one of our vaccination sites and have now received your vaccine from another provider. By doing this, we can offer that time slot to another qualified individual. To locate additional COVID-19 vaccine providers, please visit the Georgia Department of Public Health’s vaccine locator tool at https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-vaccine.

February 7 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. HIV stigma can keep people from getting tested and treated for HIV. Help stop HIV stigma in your community by offering support and encouragement to people with HIV. Visit https://www.cdc.gov/stophivtog/hiv-stigma/ways-to-stop.html for strategies to reduce stigmatizing language.

Today, February 5, is Flood Safety Day. Floods can be slow or fast rising, but generally develop over a period of days. Many communities experience some kind of flooding after spring rains or heavy thunderstorms. For more information on how to prepare for potential flooding, please visit https://gema.georgia.gov/floods-and-flash-floods.

Today, February 4, is Lightning Safety Day. Learn the 30/30 rule. If after seeing lightning, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder, go indoors. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder. For more information about lightning safety, please visit https://gema.georgia.gov//stor/thunderstorms-and-lightning.

Today, February 3, is Tornado Safety Day. Determine in advance where you will take shelter in case of a tornado warning. The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) is holding a statewide PrepareAthon! tornado drill today at 9 AM. For more information on tornado drill procedures, please visit https://gema.georgia.gov/tornado-drill-procedures.

Did you know that free or low-cost mammograms and pap smears are available through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention Program at your local health department? Call 1-855-473-4374 to see if you meet the qualifications and schedule an appointment today!

Don’t forget to take care of yourself to be able to take care of other people. #Breastcancer survivor and arthritis patient Helen Garcia shares her story of hope in English and Spanish. Listen to the podcast: http://bit.ly/2WFgjq6 To schedule your annual women’s health visit at your local health department, call 1-855-473-4374. Insurance and self-pay options are available.

Want to stay safe from the flu? Call 1-855-473-4374 and schedule your appointment today! For locations, visit www.sehdph.org/our-counties.

October 15 is National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day, a day to help stop HIV stigma and promote strategies and tools to address the disproportionate impact of HIV on Latinx communities. Find the facts! bit.ly/3kuYMdV Take the test. Take control. Visit www.sehdph.org/our-counties/ to locate your local health department for testing. Please consider that your health department may be working adjusted hours in response to COVID-19.

For most patients, healthcare providers are the most important source of #breastcancer information. During appointments, providers should ask, Have you had any problems that we haven’t discussed yet? and encourage patients to ask questions. Patients, check out the American Cancer Society’s questions for ideas: https://bit.ly/2WKZrhS and call 1-855-473-4374 to schedule your annual women’s health visit at your local health department! Bring your questions, and we will help you find the answers!

Despite the many benefits offered by flu vaccination, only about half of Americans get an annual flu vaccine and flu continues to cause millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths. This year, the need for receiving a flu vaccination is even more important. With COVID-19 being widespread in communities across Georgia, preventive measures are extremely important in maintaining a healthy immune system that is prepared to fight off any respiratory illnesses. While receiving the flu vaccine will not prevent possible infection by COVID-19, it can assist in reducing the possible infection of both viruses simultaneously. Getting your flu vaccine will help reduce the burden on the U.S. healthcare system already overwhelmed by COVID-19. Keep our communities well and healthy.

Candler County Health Department will be offering drive through flu vaccinations beginning October 15. This service will be offered on Thursdays from 1:30-4:00 PM. We bill a variety of insurance providers for flu vaccination, so please bring your insurance card when you arrive at the testing site. For those without insurance, please know that the cost is low and affordable. For flu vaccination cost or for more information, please call 1-855-473-4374.

Eating healthy does not have to be difficult! If you are looking for budget-friendly meals that incorporate vegetables without wanting to pay fresh produce prices, consider canned or frozen vegetables. The vegetables used in canned and frozen methods are picked at peak ripeness. This means all the nutrition is locked in, so they will be as nutritious as fresh produce. Another budget-friendly strategy to incorporate is purchasing groceries while there are special promotions ...happening. Many smart phone apps for grocery store chains offer discounts on fresh, canned or frozen produce. Coupons and these discount periods can make a huge positive impact on a grocery store purchase. To find your nearest health department, visit https://www.sehdph.org/our-counties/. Please consider that your health department may be working adjusted hours in response to COVID-19.

October is #BreastCancer Awareness Month. Did you know that breast cancer is the second most common cancer for U.S. women, following some types of skin cancers? Read the facts about your risk at https://bit.ly/3hmFfup. To schedule your annual women’s health visit at your local health department, call 1-855-473-4374. Insurance and self-pay options are available.

During 20132016, 36.6% of adults consumed fast food on a given day. Fast food has become a part of the American diet and has been associated with high caloric intake and poor diet quality. Time, financial resources, price and availability influence fast food consumption. However, healthy food choices can be prepared quickly. Preparing ahead will make it easier to choose a quick healthy option prepared at home rather than running to the nearest fast food chain restaurant. Ke...eping fresh, frozen and canned produce in your home will aid in your healthy eating lifestyle. Opt for heathier versions of pantry staples such as whole grain pasta and brown rice. When preparing vegetables, be sure to not overcook them! Overcooking depletes important vitamins. To find your nearest health department, visit https://www.sehdph.org/our-counties/. Please consider that your health department may be working adjusted hours in response to COVID-19.

Keep our communities safe by getting your influenza (flu) vaccine! Getting vaccinated protects people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies (6 months and older), young children, older people and people with certain chronic health conditions. Visit www.cdc.gov/flu/about/keyfacts.htm for more information or call 1-855-473-4374 and schedule your appointment today!

In 2018, more than 800 Georgians died from an opioid overdose. Naloxone, a life-saving medication that can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, is available at many pharmacies. This medication can be purchased from your pharmacist without a prescription from your doctor. For more information about opioid addiction, please visit dph.georgia.gov/stopopioidaddiction.

Wondering how to make your cooking healthier without compromising your cravings? Consider these ideas. Instead of frying in oil, bake, broil or steam your meals. You can also incorporate fresh or dried herbs and salt-free seasonings to elevate flavors and reduce salt content. Heart health is important when considering meal preparation. According to the American Heart Association, in 2019, nearly half of all U.S. adults has some type of cardiovascular disease. When adding fats during food preparation, use vegetable oil or olive oil instead of butter or lard. To find your nearest health department, visit https://www.sehdph.org/our-counties/. Please consider that your health department may be working adjusted hours in response to COVID-19.