National Influenza Vaccination Week is December 2-8, 2018

The holidays are almost here and that means family gatherings and holiday parties. Don’t let the flu bring you down. National Influenza Vaccination Week is Dec. 2-8 and Cobb & Douglas Public Health (CPDH) encourages everyone to get their flu vaccine. The flu shot is your best protection against the flu.

What is new this flu season?

  • Flu vaccines have been updated to better match circulating flu viruses
  • The nasal spray flu vaccine (LAIV) is again a vaccine option

Influenza (flu) can be a serious disease that leads to hospitalization and sometimes death. 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, and people with certain chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or other long-term medical conditions.

Preventative actions such as simply washing your hands and covering your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing can guard against the flu. The 2017-2018 influenza season was harsh. There were 155 deaths in Georgia and 3,139 hospitalizations in the metro Atlanta area due to influenza infection.

“National Influenza Vaccination Week highlights the importance of getting an annual flu shot,” said Priti Kolhe, Director of Immunizations for CDPH. “Even healthy adults and children can get sick from the flu.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone 6 months and older receive a flu vaccine and getting a flu vaccine is more convenient than ever before. Vaccines are available at your doctor or local health department, and at many retail pharmacies.

For more information about the flu, visit http://www.cobbanddouglaspublichealth.org

About Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Cobb & Douglas Public Health, along with the Georgia Department of Public Health, has been committed to the mission of “Healthier Lives. Healthier Community.” since 1920. We are dedicated to improving our residents’ quality of life by tracking and preventing the spread of disease, promoting health and safety, providing exceptional medical services, and ensuring that our community is prepared for public health emergencies. For more information, visit www.cobbanddouglaspublichealth.org.