AAPHC Launches New COVID-19 Vaccination Center

All COVID-19 Vaccinations Will Move to New Vaccination Center Site

COVID-19 Vaccines & Your FAQs:

With news of the COVID-19 vaccines arriving in the community, we are receiving questions about the vaccine availability at Albany Area Primary Health Care (AAPHC).  Here are some important details for our community members:

Q. What vaccine will the AAPHC offices receive?
A. Our AAPHC offices will receive the Moderna vaccine.

Q. Will the Moderna vaccine protect me from the virus?
A. Moderna’s vaccine proved 94.1% effective in preventing COVID-19 during clinical trials, some of which were conducted at Emory University.

Q. When will the Moderna vaccine arrive at AAPHC?
A. At this time, we have not been alerted as to when the first doses will arrive at AAPHC.  We are just waiting on news of our shipment.

Q. Who will be vaccinated first?
A. This shipment of Moderna vaccines will be available for our frontline health care workers in the state of Georgia.   

Q. When is the vaccine available for the community?
A. At this time, the CDC estimates that vaccinations of community members will begin in Spring 2021. Once vaccines become available to our community, we'll communicate that with you.

Q. Where can I find more information?
A. Please stay tuned to our social media channels, plus our web site at www.aaphc.org/coronavirus, for all the latest details.

COVID-19 Rapid Tests Now Available at AAPHC

COVID-19 Rapid Testing is now available at all Albany Area Primary Health Care (AAPHC) offices across Southwest Georgia!  In order to qualify for the COVID-19 Rapid Test, you must have one or more of the symptoms of Coronavirus - fever, loss of taste or smell, dry cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches or stomach issues.

How to Schedule the COVID-19 Rapid Test:

• For current patients, please call your AAPHC Provider's office to schedule your COVID-19 Rapid Test.

• For new patients, please visit www.aaphc.org/locations to find a listing of our offices and our Providers. Next, call your selected AAPHC Provider's office to schedule your COVID-19 Rapid Test.

Patient Safety Remains Our No. 1 Priority

We are:

• Sanitizing and cleaning exam rooms and patient areas before your appointments.
• Following all Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines to safely care for our patients.
• Performing temperature checks on all staff and patients as they arrive at the offices.
• Requiring all staff and patients to wear masks at all times within the offices to further reduce the risk of exposure to germs.
• Additionally, our Dental Offices are following strict American Dental Association (ADA) and CDC guidelines while caring for our dental patients.

Patients Must Now Wear A Mask For Their Appointments  

Patients arriving for appointments at their Albany Area Primary Health Care (AAPHC) doctor's office will be required to have a mask on before entering the building. If you do not have a mask, one will be given to you to wear at all times while inside the office. Masks should be worn appropriately so that it fully covers your mouth and nose. This new COVID-19 protocol is now in effect across all AAPHC offices in order to fully protect our providers, staff and patients.

For an easy, no sew mask tutorial, please CLICK HERE.

The #MASKUPALBANY campaign is also distributing FREE masks to community members. Visit Dougherty County Georgia Government for full details and distribution locations. 

Wear a mask and ensure you are protecting your family, friends and neighbors from COVID-19!

COVID-19 Antibody Testing Now Available 

• For current AAPHC patients, please contact your Provider's office to schedule your appointment for Antibody Testing. You can find your Provider's office information at www.AAPHC.org.
• For community members new to AAPHC, please call our Northwest Albany location at 229-405-6196 to schedule an appointment. Or click on the following link to find an office near you: https://aaphc.org/services/adult-medicine/see-our-locations

AAPHC Launches Telemedicine Visits for Patients  

Critical Updates for Our Patients and Community Members:

•  If you have symptoms of a fever, cough or shortness of breath, please contact your Provider's office immediately.
•  If you have these symptoms and have a Dental, OB/GYN, Podiatry, Vision Care or Behavioral Health appointment, please cancel this appointment and go immediately to your PCP office. 
•  If you call your PCP office with these symptoms, you may be routed to our Northwest Family Medical and Dental office for an appointment.
•  Effective immediately, we have staff members taking each patient's temperature as they arrive at the office.

AAPHC Launches "No Visitor" Policy To Reduce Risk of Exposure

• Effective March 19, we are launching a "No Visitors" policy within our offices to reduce risk of possible exposure to our staff and patients in the office. If you have a guest, they will have to remain in their car. There are some exceptions to this policy, including if the patient is under 18, needs assistance during the appointment, cannot be left alone or needs assistance communicating. Please speak with the staff at the office if you have questions. 
• We are also at this time suspending visits from all pharmaceutical representatives until further notice.  There are no exceptions to this COVID-19 policy. 

What To Know Before Your Next Appointment:

For All Upcoming Primary Care Appointments:

•  If you have the following symptoms:
  • Fever
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Cough
• Or, if you have recently:
  • Been exposed to a known Coronavirus patient
  • Traveled recently, including within the United States

Please notify our team while scheduling the appointment and upon check-in at the office.
  

For all Upcoming Dental, Podiatry, OB/GYN, Pediatrics and Behavioral Health Appointments:

• If you have the following symptoms:
  
  • Fever
    
  • Shortness of Breath
    
  • Cough
• Or, if you have recently:
  • Been exposed to a known Coronavirus patient
  • Traveled recently, including within the United States 

 Please do not proceed with your appointment.  Immediately contact your Primary Care Provider and notify the check-in team of your symptoms.

For All Additional Questions:

Please contact your doctor's office and our team will be able to assist you!

Updated 1-21-2021