National Influenza Vaccination Week is a Reminder to ARM AGAINST THE FLU
Announcements, Health December 2, 2019
National Influenza Vaccination Week is a Reminder to ARM AGAINST THE FLU
NORTH GA – It’s that time of year again, north Georgians — flu season. As family and friends
gather for the holidays, flu activity is increasing. Anyone still unvaccinated should get a flu
vaccination right away.
December 1-7, 2019 is this year’s National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) in which health
officials highlight the importance of being vaccinated against the flu during the holiday season
and beyond. This week serves as a reminder that anyone who can be vaccinated should do so
to protect as many people as possible against flu. Everyone 6 months of age and older should
get a flu vaccination every season.
Since this past August, public health staff in the North Georgia Health District have given over
7,440 flu vaccinations, and doses are still available at public health departments in these North
Georgia counties:
Cherokee County: 1219 Univeter Road, Canton, GA 30115, (770) 345-7371 and 7545 North
Main Street, Suite 100, Woodstock, GA 30188, (770) 928-0133
Fannin County: 95 Ouida Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513, (706) 632-3023
Gilmer County: 28 Southside Church Street, Ellijay, GA 30540, (706) 635-4363
Murray County: 709 Old Dalton-Ellijay Road, Chatsworth, GA 30705, (706) 695-4585
Pickens County: 60 Health Way, Jasper, GA 30143, (706) 253-2821
Whitfield County: 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton, GA 30720, (706) 279-9600
Flu vaccine is no cost at county health departments in North Georgia for anyone under an
acceptable health insurance plan such as Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna, Anthem BlueCross
BlueShield, United Healthcare, and others. For those without insurance coverage, the cost is
still relatively low. The regular flu shot is $25 and the high-dose flu shot recommended for
people ages 65 and older is $65.
There are many reasons to get a flu vaccination.
Flu vaccine can reduce a person’s risk of flu illness, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school
due to flu. Even if a vaccinated person still gets sick, flu vaccine can reduce the severity of the
illness.
Flu vaccine also helps protect women during and after pregnancy and protects the baby born to
a vaccinated mom for several months after birth.
Flu vaccine has saved children’s lives, prevented serious events associated with chronic lung
disease, diabetes and heart disease, and prevented flu-related hospitalization among working
age adults and older adults.
Getting vaccinated is not just about keeping healthy. It is also about not spreading the virus,
protecting others in the community who may be vulnerable to becoming very sick, such as
babies, older adults and pregnant women.
Ask the Doc! Chemo Recovery and the Flu shot Conspiracy
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Flu season expected to ramp up in coming weeks
News November 18, 2018
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Flu season is upon us, and reported cases of influenza are expected to rise despite repeated warnings from physicians to acquire vaccinations to guard against the dreaded illness.
Clay County Health Department, located adjacent to Towns County in North Carolina, recently reported one confirmed case of Type A influenza, the strain which has been most prevalent since mid-summer, according to the Center for Disease Control.
The Department of Public Health (DPH) states that the confirmed cases of influenza are currently considered moderate. Peak flu season is predicted to occur between the months of December and Feburary, although the virus could linger until spring.
“Every individual over the age of six months should get a flu vaccine, not just for their own protection, but to protect others around them who may be more vunerable to the flu and its complications,” Georgia DPH Interim Commissioner J. Patrick O’Neal advised earlier this year.
Approximately 36,000 Americans die each year from complications associated with the illness. Last year, 151 cases proved fatal in Georgia alone. The young, the elderly, and those with weakened immune symptoms are most vunerable to complications. According to the CDC, it make take up to two weeks for vaccinations to become effective.
The flu is easily transfered between individuals through oral and nasal secretions, with germs capable of surviving on surfaces for extended periods of time. Hand-washing is vital in thwarting the spread of the illness.
Influenza symptoms may include a fever higher than 100 degrees, head and body aches, fatigue, chills, respiratory distress, cough and a sore throat. Prescriptions such as Tamiflu, a medication geared toward reducing severity, should be administered within 48 hours after the onset of symptoms although later administration may weaken extreme symptoms.