Deal Finder: Economical, efficient ways to get childhood immunizations, vaccines, more
By LaTina Emerson, The Shopper Deal Finder
Vaccines have become a hot topic during the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to the sought-after COVID-19 vaccine, there are a number of vaccines that people of all ages should receive to protect themselves from serious illness, such as childhood immunizations, flu and pneumonia vaccines and vaccinations required for overseas travel.
While doctor’s offices administer most vaccines, patients can also visit local pharmacies and health departments to receive vaccinations and save some money on medical office visits.
Here are some economical ways to get essential vaccines:
Local Pharmacies
“We give pretty much any vaccine that is recommended by CDC guidelines,” said Dr. Mindy Leech, a pharmacist and owner of Lee-King Pharmacy. “We have also now been given permission to give the childhood vaccines for children ages 3 and up without a prescription. That’s new since COVID.”
At Lee-King Pharmacy, children can receive the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine and other vaccines for children ages 3 to 18 that are recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the child and adolescent immunization schedule. No prescription is required.
Pharmacies have been approved to give childhood vaccines because healthcare officials noticed that patients weren’t going to the doctor and keeping up with their immunizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents can call Lee-King Pharmacy if they’d like to have their children immunized, Leech said.
Lee-King Pharmacy also gives flu, pneumonia, shingles and meningococcal vaccines, no prescription required. Other vaccines can be given by prescription only. To schedule childhood or adult vaccines, call 770-253-1622.
Most recently, Lee-King Pharmacy has been administering the new COVID-19 vaccine to customers 65 and older. The pharmacy vaccinated 200 seniors in one week with the new vaccine.
“It has started trickling out, and fortunately independent pharmacies in Georgia have been some of the first to receive it,” Leech said. “My advice as a pharmacist is to stay patient. We will get everybody vaccinated as quickly as possible.”
Lee-King Pharmacy is following the Georgia Department of Public Health’s guidelines for COVID-19 vaccine eligibility. To get on Lee-King Pharmacy’s waiting list for the COVID-19 vaccine, send an email to [email protected]. For more information, visit www.leekingpharmacy.com. Please reserve phone calls for pharmacy business.
Lee-King Pharmacy, located at 18 Cavender St. in Newnan, works with all insurance plans.
To find additional participating pharmacy sites for the COVID-19 vaccine, including Kroger, Publix and Ingles, visit https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-vaccine or contact local independent pharmacies.
Coweta County Health Department
Coweta County residents can make an appointment to receive the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by calling the District 4 Public Health appointment line at 762-888-8180. The call center is open from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but it will not be open if no vaccine is available.
The COVID-19 vaccine is currently being offered to individuals in the Phase 1 A category (healthcare workers in clinical settings, staff and residents of long-term care facilities, law enforcement and fire personnel and adults aged 65 and older.)
To receive the vaccine, an appointment is required. The second appointment will be arranged when the first appointment is scheduled. To receive the second dose of the vaccine, recipients must bring the vaccine card issued when the first dose was given, proof of age that they’re 65 or older and proof of employment for healthcare workers and first responders.
To find out the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine, COVID-19 vaccination sites in District 4 or the date for your second dose of the vaccine, visit the Georgia Department of Public Health’s District 4 . Website Page
Locations are subject to change, but COVID-19 vaccines are scheduled to be distributed at the following locations in Coweta County:
- Coweta County Health Department, 70 Hospital Road, Newnan
- Coweta County Fairgrounds, 275 Pine Road, Newnan
Additional information
All Georgia COVID-19 vaccination sites: https://dph.georgia.gov/locations/covid-vaccination-site
Priority groups for COVID-19 vaccination phases: https://www.district4health.org/services/community-health/covid-19/priority-groups-for-covid-19-vaccination-phases/
Latest COVID-19 data, COVID-19 symptoms and testing, and general facts about the COVID-19 vaccine: https://www.district4health.org/services/community-health/covid-19/
Coweta County Health Department’s Facebook page, which also provides updates about the COVID-19 vaccine: https://www.facebook.com/CowetaCountyDPH4/.
Childhood Immunizations and International Travel Vaccines:
The Coweta County Health Department offers all childhood and adult immunizations recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices: https://dph.georgia.gov/immunization-section.
This health department is also a travel vaccine clinic site and offers vaccines required for overseas travel: https://www.district4health.org/services/adult-health/travel-health/.
Individuals not covered by health insurance can pay out of pocket to receive vaccines. To find out specific costs, contact the Coweta County Health Department. Patients age 19 and under may qualify to be vaccinated under the Vaccines for Children Program: https://dph.georgia.gov/immunization-section/vaccines-children-program.
For more information, contact the Coweta County Health Department at 770-254-7400 or visit https://www.district4health.org/locations/coweta-county/. To make an appointment, call 1-800-847-4262.
YourTown Health
YourTown Health, a nonprofit network of eight community health centers serving Meriwether, Pike, Lamar, Carroll, Coweta and South Fulton counties, will be offering the COVID-19 vaccine in Palmetto and Senoia based on vaccine phase eligibility.
Individuals in the Phase 1 A group (healthcare workers and adults 65 and older) are currently eligible for the vaccine. To be added to the waiting list, complete the vaccine appointment request form on YourTown Health’s website: https://www.yourtownhealth.com/covid-19-vaccines/.
The health centers will contact recipients on a first-come, first-served basis with instructions on making an appointment to receive the first and second doses of the vaccine. Due to high demand, it may take days or weeks before appointment times become available.
Patients can’t be scheduled for a second dose of the vaccine if they received the first dose at a different facility.
Among its six health centers, Coweta County residents can visit YourTown Health at the following locations:
- 48 Main St., Suite 3A in Senoia (Coweta County)
- 643 Main St. in Palmetto (Fulton County)
The COVID-19 vaccines will be offered in South Fulton at no cost, according to YourTown Health’s website.
Updates on vaccine availability will be provided on YourTown Health’s website, social media pages and e-newsletter.
The nonprofit network of community health centers also offers childhood and adult immunizations, including vaccines for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, pneumonia, chickenpox, HPV and flu.
