DPH expands vaccine eligibility to include some medical conditions

The Georgia Department of Public Health has announced that Georgia is expanding its vaccine eligibility on March 15.

The expanded eligibility will include adults age 55 and older, individuals with disabilities and certain medical conditions.

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are already eligible for vaccination.

This expansion now includes disabilities caused by an injury, a disability due to longstanding condition that could cause vision loss, nerve damage or loss of a limb, or a disability due to illness such as ALS or Multiple Sclerosis.

Some of the medical conditions that are now included in the expanded vaccine eligibility include moderate to severe asthma, cancer, Chronic Kidney Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Diabetes, Hypertension or high blood pressure, heart conditions, liver disease, obesity, pregnancy, pulmonary fibrosis, and sickle cell disease, just to name a few.

Eligible residents can make appointments by calling 1-888-426-5073 or by going online to www.phdistrict2.org.

You can also call the Stephens County health department.

In Stephens County, the number for the Health Department is 706-282-4507.

Vaccinations are being administered at St. Matthias Episcopal Church in Toccoa.

To see if you are eligible, go to https://dph.georgia.gov/