Click HERE to be taken directly to the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) website.

 Updated COVID-19 Funeral and Mortuary Science Guidance

New Bivalent Covid-19 Boosters Offer Enhanced Protection

September 7, 2022

Atlanta – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) will begin offering the new bivalent COVID-19 booster this week, as shipments of the vaccine arrive in the state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommend the bivalent booster manufactured by Pfizer for individuals aged 12 and older; and they recommend the bivalent booster by Moderna for adults aged 18 and older.

The current COVID booster doses contain the genetic recipe for the original strain of COVID-19. The bivalent vaccine contains the genetic recipes for two versions of COVID-19; the original strain, plus the omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5, offering better protection against the currently circulating COVID-19 variants. People should wait at least two months after completing their initial vaccination or their last booster shot before getting the bivalent booster.

At this time, the bivalent vaccine is considered only a booster. It is not to be used as the initial two-dose COVID vaccine. The monovalent mRNA CVOID-19 vaccines will still be administered for the primary series of vaccine and as a booster for children under the age of 12.

Georgia is currently seeing an average of 3,000 cases of COVID reported a week. More than 89% of newly reported COVID cases are caused by the BA.5 variant. Hospitalizations and deaths from COVID continue to decrease in the state. 

In addition to vaccination and boosters, basic prevention measures should also be followed to help prevent further spread of COVID and mitigate outbreaks of infection, especially in public settings: wear a mask, physically distance, and wash your hands frequently with soap and water.

For updates on COVID-19 follow @GaDPH and @GovKemp on Twitter and @GaDPH and @GovKemp on Facebook. For more information on vaccination and boosters, visit https://itsthatsimplega.ga.gov/.

PREVENTION TO STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID-19

COVID Vax + Booster
Learn how Georgians have stayed safe thanks to the COVID-19 vaccine.
IT'S THAT SIMPLE - HERE

Prevent Getting Sick
CDC recommendations for prevention measures against COVID-19.
LEARN MORE HERE

Know Your Risk
Precautions you should take based on your community levels.
LEARN MORE HERE

IF YOU'RE SICK OR EXPOSED TO COVID-19

Get Tested
Find COVID-19 Testing Near You.
LEARN MORE HERE

Isolation & Precautions for People with COVID-19
LEARN MORE HERE

Treatments
About treatments and medications.
LEARN MORE HERE

What to do if you were exposed
If you were exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 or have been told by a healthcare provider or public health authority that you were exposed, follow the guidance. If you have questions, please call 866-PUB-HLTH (866-782-4584).
Exposure Guidance (8/12/2022) - HERE

What to do if you are sick
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 infection or if a healthcare provider or public health official has told you that COVID-19 infection is suspected, follow the guidance. If you have questions, please call 866-PUB-HLTH (866-782-4584).
Isolation Guidance (8/12/2022) - HERE

COVID-19 TESTING IN GEORGIA

• USPS Home Test Kits - HERE

• Mako Testing Sites - HERE

• LTS Testing Sites - HERE

• Viral Solutions Mega Sites - HERE

• COVID-19 PCR Testing Kiosks - Pre-registration - HERE
  DPH is offering COVID-19 PCR testing at TestAndGo kiosks, (open 24-7) placed in communities across Georgia.

What You Need to Know About COVID-19 Testing - Learn more

What Does My Test Mean?

• Even with a negative test result, continue to practice standard safety protocol.
• Interpreting Your Results

After You Are Tested

• You should isolate yourself while you wait for test results. If you have a sample taken at one of these locations, it is essential to remain at home and away from other family members as much as possible to prevent the possible spread of disease.

Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19 - Learn more

COVID-19 VACCINE

• People ages 6 months through 4 years should get all COVID-19 primary series doses.
• People ages 5 years and older should get all primary series doses, and the booster dose recommended for them by CDC, if eligible.
• People ages 5 years to 11 years are currently recommended to get the original (monovalent) booster.
• People ages 12 years and older are recommended to receive one updated Pfizer or Moderna (bivalent) booster.
• This includes people who have received all primary series doses and people who have previously received one or more original (monovalent) boosters.
• At this time, people aged 12 years to 17 years can only receive the updated Pfizer bivalent booster.
• Getting a COVID-19 vaccine after you recover from COVID-19 infection provides added protection against COVID-19.
• People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have different recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters.
• COVID-19 vaccine and booster recommendations may be updated as CDC continues to monitor the latest data.