Officials in western Georgia say they have a novel way to boost voter turnout on Election Day.
Muscogee County’s Board of Elections and Registrations, together with the local Health Department are taking part in a nationwide “Vote and Vax” campaign. The program was launched in the summer of 2006 and voting officials hope it will draw more voters to the polls by offering flu vaccinations.
Nancy Boren is Muscogee County’s voter registrar:
"The Health Department and the Board of Elections decided to team together to have the elderly and those in need of a flu shot to get their flu shot at the same time that they vote."And, Boren says, four early-voting stations in Columbus will be the first to administer those shots, from October twenty-seventh to the thirtieth.
A West Central Health District spokesperson says their sole intention "is to offer convenient influenza vaccinations at select early polling sites for our community members."
Professional nurses from two Columbus colleges will give the injections. They’ll costs $23 dollars apiece, and won’t require a prescription.
Boren says that while voting and vaccinations will be held at the same locations, one doesn’t depend on the other:
"You do not have to vote to get a shot, nor do you have to get a shot to vote, so, while they will be in the same area, there will be a separation between the two."Health officials add that only people of voting age will be eligible to receive the immunization, but that age-appropriate shots are available at local health departments.
While only Muscogee and Cherokee counties have signed up so far, officials hope more of the 15 counties that make up the West Central Health District will take part.
A West Central Health District spokesperson says their sole intention "is to offer convenient influenza vaccinations at select early polling sites for our community members."
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