EFFINGHAM COUNTY -- As COVID-19 vaccine supplies increase in the Coastal Health District, the Effingham County Health Department is working to administer vaccines to eligible individuals as quickly as possible. 

To allow the staff to focus on COVID-19 vaccinations, the health departments will shift to essential services only. Essential services include: 

 Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)  

Childhood immunizations required for school attendance 

 Infectious Disease Services (STD/TB/HIV) 

 Contraception services 

Appointments are required for all services, and many existing appointments will be rescheduled.

 “All of the services we provide are important to people in our community, and we understand this is inconvenient,” said Dr. Lawton Davis, health director of the Coastal Health District. “But with limited staffing and resources, our focus must be on administration of this potentially life-saving vaccine.” 

This change does not affect Environmental Health services. 

To make an appointment for essential services at the Effingham County Health Department, call 912-754-6484. COVID-19 vaccination is currently available only for phase 1a individuals, which includes frontline healthcare workers and the staff and residents of long-term care facilities. If you are a healthcare provider in need of vaccination,  fill out the provider survey at gachd.org/providersurvey/.