Town halls will explore science behind COVID-19 vaccines

The University of North Georgia (UNG) will host four community town halls the week of April 19 on its Blue Ridge, Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses and online to provide information about the COVID-19 vaccines. The Gainesville Campus will have events in English and Spanish.

"UNG Community Conversations: Truths About Vaccines" will feature UNG biology faculty members discussing the science behind the vaccines. The events are part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 Public Education Campaign.

"We hope to give information, strengthen the public's confidence in the vaccine and provide people the opportunity to ask questions," said Dr. Carly Redding, director of academic engagement at UNG. "Individuals have a lot of questions, and they may not know where to ask them. We're glad to give them the chance to do that."

UNG faculty will discuss how vaccines work, how to know COVID-19 vaccines are safe, and what herd immunity means. Events are set for:

• 5:30-6:30 p.m. April 19: Dr. Amy Anderson, UNG biology lecturer, Hoag Student Center Room 342 on the Dahlonega Campus. Up to 42 people can take part in person due to social distancing. Register via Zoom to attend this meeting online.
• 5:30-6:30 p.m. April 20: Dr. Amy Anderson, Blue Ridge Campus Learning Commons Room 101. Up to 25 people can take part in person. Register via Zoom to attend this meeting online.
• 5:30-6:30 p.m. (Spanish) and 6:30-7:30 p.m. (English) April 22: Dr. Miriam Segura-Totten, professor of biology and Harry B. Forester Eminent Scholars Chair at UNG, Professional Continuing Education & Performing Arts Building Room 108 on the Gainesville Campus. Up to 50 people can take part in person. Register via Zoom to attend these meetings online.

Admittance to the in-person events will only be allowed up to the room capacity due to social distancing. The use of face coverings is required by students, faculty, staff, and visitors in UNG buildings and facilities. Face coverings also should be used outdoors when six feet of social distancing is not possible.

Dr. Sarah Young, assistant director of academic engagement at UNG, said she is proud the university is working to assist the region during the pandemic.

"It's really important that UNG be a leader in the community," Young said. "We have excellent resources available to us with some of the most renowned biologists in the field."

The town hall events come shortly after UNG opened a mass vaccination site on its Gainesville Campus in partnership with the Hall County Board of Commissioners and District 2 Public Health. The mass vaccine site opened April 6 in the Hugh Mills Physical Education Center at 3820 Mundy Mill Road in Oakwood, Georgia. Call 1-888-426-5073 or visit https://gta-vras.powerappsportals.us to make an appointment.