Flu shots available in W. Ga.

The Columbus Department of Public Health and the West Central Health District report that they have received supplies of influenza vaccine, for the winter flu season.

The flu shots will be restricted to Georgia residents of the following counties, and will be distributed at their local health departments this coming Monday, September 22 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m:

Chattahoochee, Clay, Harris, Macon, Marion, Muscogee (Columbus), Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Webster.

The vaccine will be available on a walk-in basis to the general public and high-risk population for $23.00 apiece, and pneumonia vaccine will cost $14.00, according to a statement by the West Central Health District (WCHD).

The WCHD recommends vaccinations for the following high-risk populations:

• Adults age 65 years or older
• All children aged 6-23 months
• Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities
• Health-care workers involved in direct, hands-on, face-to-face patient care
• Pregnant women
• Children aged 6 months-18 years on chronic aspirin therapy
• Individuals who live with or care for one or more children less than 6 months of age
• Individuals with long-term health problems such as heart disease; kidney disease; lung diseases like asthma; metabolic diseases like diabetes, blood disorders like anemia; a weakened immune system caused, for example, by cancer or cancer treatment, HIV/AIDS, or steroid therapy; or certain conditions such as neuromuscular disorders that can cause breathing problems.

Click here for moore GPB News coverage of of health issues.

Chattahoochee Trace vying as nat'l site

Click on the map for more
information on each county.

The Historic Chattahoochee Commission is trying to convince Congress to declare the Chattahoochee Trace a national heritage site.

"There's no doubt in my mind that we will qualify," said Doug Purcell, executive director of the group, which formed in 1970:

"Our region fits (the program) to a tee."

Georgia and Alabama lawmakers are reportedly supportive of the commission's goals, according to an Associated Press report. The bill passed a Senate committee last month. Sen. Jeff Sessions said after the committee passed the measure:

"The region is rich in history and culture and deserves
recognition..."

The Bush administration also has expressed support for the effort.

Georgia counties along the Chattahoochee Trace are: Chattahoochee, Clay, Decatur, Early, Harris, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Stewart and Troup.

The National Park Service is putting a $200,000 to $300,000 tab on the cost of the study to determine whether the Chattahoochee Trace meets the program's criteria.

More information on the Chattahoochee Trace is here.