Dougherty County Board of Commissioners will hold a third in- centive-based COVID-19 vaccination event on Saturday, November 6, 2021, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. behind the Albany Civic Center. Partners for the event include Phoebe Putney Health Systems, the Southwest Georgia Department of Public Health, and Albany Area Primary Health Care, as well as other organizational and individual volunteers, who are scheduled to be present to provide support.

Dougherty County’s first incentive-based vaccination event was held on September 18, 2021, with nearly 540 Dougherty County residents in attendance to receive either their first or second COVID vaccine. The second vaccination event held on October 16, 2021, rendered 875 individ- uals in attendance to receive first or second vaccination, with more than 60 of those receiving booster vaccines. During this Saturday’s event, vaccination options will be expanded to include the Moderna vaccine, with isolated lanes for those seeking Pfizer, Moderna and booster vac- cines to streamline visitors.

“Both vaccinations events we have held rendered a host of Dougherty County citizens receiving vaccines,” said Michael McCoy, Dougherty County Administrator. “Although our numbers are shifting back down again in Dougherty County for the number of positive cases, it is our hope that our citizens will continue to step up and obtain the vaccinations in order to help further pro- tect our community and to help us reach our 75 percent vaccination goal for Dougherty County.”

Both drive-ups and walk-ups will be accepted at Saturday’s event. The entire process from start to finish should take less than 25 minutes to complete, so citizens can expect a quick turna- round. This includes the 15-minute required observation period, where Dougherty County Emer- gency Medical Services (EMS) teams will be available should a citizen experience any reaction to the vaccination.

For Dougherty County residents who obtain the COVID-19 vaccination on Saturday, they will receive a $100 debit gift card funded by Dougherty County’s American Rescue Act Plan (ARAP) funds, which nearly $400,000 has been approved so far by the Dougherty County Board of Commissioners to be utilized for a vaccination incentive plan. To qualify, individuals must be a resident of Dougherty County, 18 years or older, and be prepared to show proof of residence. Students attending colleges in Dougherty County, including Albany State University and Albany Technical College students, will also qualify to receive the incentive with valid college identifica- tion at the event.

For more information, visit dougherty.ga.us.