A nurse fills a syringe with flu vaccine in this file photo.

Health departments in the North Georgia Health District soon will be conducting drive-by flu shot clinics, according to a news release.

The clinics, designed to process people quickly and conveniently as they remain in their vehicles, will begin in mid-September, authorities said.

They also offer an opportunity for North Georgia Health District health departments in Whitfield, Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray and Pickens counties to test their ability to administer medications quickly to the public in a widespread public health crisis, such as pandemic influenza.

Fluzone, a new high-dose influenza vaccine for people 65 and older, will be offered at the drive-by clinics in Whitfield, Cherokee and Gilmer counties. Soon, the high-dose shot will be offered at all health departments in the health district, officials said.

Officials said the cost for the regular flu shot will be $20, and the Fluzone shot will be $52.

For more information about the upcoming drive-by clinics or about influenza and its prevention, contact your county health department or log onto www.nghd.org.

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