DPH Urges All Georgians to Get a Flu Shot

Community, News
flu shot

Atlanta – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has a message for Georgians: Everyone needs a flu shot. Yes, you! That’s the focus of a new campaign urging all Georgians over the age of six months to get a flu shot this year.
“Now more than ever, influenza vaccination is critical not only to protect people from getting sick, but to reduce the burden on our healthcare system already caring for COVID-19 patients,” said Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H, DPH commissioner. “Even if the vaccine doesn’t prevent illness from flu completely, it can help reduce the severity and risk of serious complications – and keep people out of the hospital during this COVID-19 pandemic.”

Influenza and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. Flu and COVID-19 share many characteristics, including:
• Fever or feeling feverish/chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle pain or body aches and headaches
• Vomiting and diarrhea, more common in children than adults

Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone, and testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis.
Both the flu and COVID-19 spread in similar ways. Droplets or smaller virus particles from a sick person can transmit the virus to other people nearby. The smallest particles may linger in the air, and another person can inhale them and become infected.

An important difference between flu and COVID-19 is there is a vaccine available to everyone to protect against flu. 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 vulnerable to the flu and its complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC) recommend getting an annual flu shot by the end of October. It takes about two
weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against flu to develop in the body.

There are tried and true measures to help protect against the flu or any respiratory illness, including COVID-19:
• If you have symptoms, stay home from school or work.
• Practice social distancing by keeping 6 feet between you and others.
• Wearing a mask or face covering in public.
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Alcohol based hand sanitizers (at least
60% alcohol) are the next best thing if there is no access to soap and water.
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing to help prevent the spread of
viruses. Use a tissue or cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow or arm.
• Avoid touching your face as germs can get into the body through mucus membranes of
the nose, mouth and eyes.

Remember, everything you do to help prevent flu will also help prevent COVID-19.

If you do get sick and think you may have the flu, contact your healthcare provider right away. There are medications that can be used to treat flu but they are most effective when taken within 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms.

Flu vaccine is widely available at public health departments, doctors’ offices, grocery stores, neighborhood clinics and pharmacies. To find a location near you click on https://vaccinefinder.org/find-vaccine.

For more information about flu and how to prevent it, log on to dph.ga.gov/flu or flu.gov.
For updates on flu or COVID-19, follow @GaDPH on Twitter and @GaDPH on Facebook. Show
your flu shot! Share your flu shot photo with DPH on social media using the hashtag #Igotmine.

National Influenza Vaccination Week is a Reminder to ARM AGAINST THE FLU

Announcements, Health

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

FYNTV, Health
ask the doc

Ask the Doc returns as Dr. William Whaley discusses with Guest host Rick about Chemo treatment recovery and the flu shot conspiracies.

https://youtu.be/G0emQjq5G9c

Several north Georgians receive no-cost-to-client flu shots

Press Release

DALTON, Ga. – Since health departments in north Georgia began providing flu shots at no cost to clients this week, 640 residents have taken advantage of the offer and others are urged to do the same while supplies last. This number contrasts favorably to the total of 190 flu shots provided by the health departments during the previous week.

Flu activity continues to be widespread in the U.S., and last week, the number of flu-related deaths in Georgia sharply increased, prompting public health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties to begin providing flu shots at no cost to residents who have not yet been vaccinated. Healthcare plans are billed for clients who have coverage, and there is no charge to anyone who is not insured. No appointment is necessary – “walk-ins” are welcome.

The current flu vaccine is highly effective against most influenza strains that are now circulating, and county health departments in north Georgia also have a high-dose flu vaccine for people ages 65 and older, providing them with increased protection.

It is not too late to get a flu shot. This flu season has not yet peaked, and it could last several more weeks. Once vaccinated, it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to reach its full protective potential. Therefore, it is important to receive a flu shot right away.

Locations and phone numbers for the no-cost-to-client flu shots at county health departments in
north Georgia are:

  • Cherokee County Health Department: 1219 Univeter Road, Canton, GA 30115, 770-345-7371
    and 7545 North Main Street, Suite 100, Woodstock, GA 30188, 770-928-0133;
  • Fannin County Health Department: 95 Ouida Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513, 706-632-3023;
  • Gilmer County Health Department: 28 Southside Church Street, Ellijay, GA 30540, 706-635-4363;
  • Murray County Health Department: 709 Old Dalton-Ellijay Road, Chatsworth, GA 30705, 706-695-4585;
  • Pickens County Health Department: 60 Health Way, Jasper, GA 30143, 706-253-2821; and
  • Whitfield County Health Department: 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton, GA 30720, 706-226-
    2621.

Health officials also remind the public that flu is extremely contagious and can spread easily from person to person; therefore, anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms – such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue or nausea – is urged to stay home during the severest symptoms and for at least 24 hours after fever is gone. Parents should keep children who are sick with the flu at home from school, and anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms should stay away from places such as hospitals and long-term care facilities where people are more at risk for developing severe complications if sick with the flu.

More information about preventing the spread of flu, such as frequent handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes, is on the North Georgia Health District website at http://nghd.org/pr/34-/938-widespread-flu-in-georgia.html.

Author

Jason Beck

Born in Merrillville, Indiana, raised in Cleveland, Tennessee, and currently resides in Copperhill, Tennessee. Graduated from Bradley Central High School in 1996 and attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, eventually earning a B.A. and M.A. in English. Hobbies include hiking, camping and fly-fishing. Interests include baseball, hockey and cliff jumping.

Don’t Let The Flu Catch Up To You

Health

Don’t Let The Flu Catch Up To You:

Georgia Dept. of Public Health Encourages Yearly Flu Shot

North Georgia – The holidays are almost here, and that means family gatherings and holiday parties where people tend to be in close personal contact. Don’t bring flu to the festivities. National Influenza Vaccination Week is December 3-9, and the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) encourages all Georgians to get their flu vaccine. The flu shot is the best protection against the flu.

“Flu season is here until possibly as late as May, and we anticipate an active flu season this year,” said Sherry Gregory, RN, Infectious Disease Supervisor of the North Georgia Health District, based in Dalton. “It’s important that North Georgians understand the best way to protect against influenza is to receive an annual flu vaccine. As long as the virus is circulating, it’s never too late to vaccinate.”

Influenza can be a serious disease that leads to hospitalization and sometimes death. On average, more than 200,000 people in the United States are hospitalized each year for illnesses associated with seasonal influenza virus infections.[1] Regardless of race, age, gender or ethnicity, anyone can get sick from the flu. Those especially at risk are adults 65 years of age and older, children younger than 5, pregnant women, people with certain chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or other long-term medical conditions. Preventive actions such as simply washing hands and covering the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing can guard against the flu.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone 6 months and older receive a flu vaccine. Getting a flu vaccine is more convenient than ever. Public health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties have flu vaccine for people of all ages, including pediatric and quadrivalent vaccine as well as Fluzone High Dose for people 65 years old and older. Log onto nghd.org to find these North Georgia Health District county health departments’ contact information by clicking the LOCATIONS tab at top of the home page. Many physicians, pharmacies, employers, schools, colleges and universities also offer flu vaccines. CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), also known as the “nasal spray” flu vaccine, should not be used during the 2017-2018 flu season.

National Influenza Vaccination Week emphasizes the importance of receiving an annual flu vaccination. Even healthy children and adults can get very sick from the flu. So be wise and get immunized against the flu. For more information on immunization, visit http://dph.georgia.gov/influenza-what-you-need-know.

Are You Protected From the Flu?

Community

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