Cast Your Ballot Saturday, Get a Flu Shot

With the Nov. 6 Election Day fast approaching, many people are trying to beat the lines and vote early.

As of early Friday afternoon, more than 63,000 voters have cast early ballots in Fulton County, according to elections officials.

If you have a hard time getting away from work to vote, consider Saturday voting. Registered voters can cast ballots from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the following locations:

• Fulton County Government Center (130 Peachtree St. SW, Suite 2186, Atlanta)
• Buckhead Library (269 Buckhead Ave., Atlanta)
• Adamsville Recreational Center (3201 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW, Atlanta)
• South Fulton Service Center (5600 Stonewall Tell Rd., Room 108, College Park)
• North Fulton Service Center (7741 Roswell Rd., Suite 232, Sandy Springs)
• Ocee Library (5090 Abbotts Bridge Rd., Johns Creek)

Fulton County Voters can also “Vote and Vax” beginning Saturday, Oct. 27. Voters can cast their ballots and obtain their annual flu shots as a part of an effort to reduce the risk of flu among citizens. Vote and Vax primarily targets adults aged 50 or older. 

Vaccine and staffing will be offered through partnerships with Piedmont Hospital and Grady Hospital.

• Saturday, October 27, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Adamsville Recreation Center, 3201 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Atlanta 
• Tuesday, October 30, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. - South Fulton Service Center, 5600 Stonewall Tell Road, College Park
• Thursday, November 1, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. - North Fulton Service Center, 7741 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs
• Friday, November 2, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Registration & Elections Department Office, Fulton County Government Center Complex (141 Pryor Street/130 Peachtree Street), Atlanta
• Tuesday, November 6, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Adamsville Recreation Center, 3201 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Atlanta
• Tuesday, November 6, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Juniper & 10th High Rise, 150 10th Street, NE, Atlanta

According to the Centers for Disease control, in the United States, on average 5 to 20 percent of the population gets the flu and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from seasonal flu-related complications. The CDC also reports that the expected severity of a flu season cannot be accurately predicted.    

In a questions and answers publication, the CDC reports that “over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people. Some people, such as older people, young children, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. The best way to prevent seasonal flu is by getting a seasonal flu vaccination each year.”

Piedmont Healthcare and Grady Health System are donating the flu vaccine and the staff to administer the vaccines.

For more information about “Vote and Vax,” call the Fulton County Office of Aging STARline at 404-613-6000.