Flu season is right around the corner, and now is the time for anyone who does not want to get the flu to get vaccinated. Today, Cobb & Douglas Public Health launched its annual seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination campaign. Public health centers throughout Cobb and Douglas counties will administer flu vaccine to the general public.
"Right now we have plenty of vaccine," said Karen Dibling, R.N., District Immunization Director, Cobb & Douglas Public Health. "We encourage all county residents to get a seasonal flu shot especially those who would like to reduce their likelihood of becoming sick with the flu," she said.
Seasonal flu is a highly contagious virus that is spread from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The illness can cause fever, sore throat, cough, chills, and muscle aches. Unlike the common cold, the flu causes severe illness and can be life threatening. Complications from the flu can include pneumonia, ear and sinus infections, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure.
"While it’s important that everyone get vaccinated against the flu, high-risk individuals are at a greater risk of serious complications and even death from the flu. We encourage the household contacts and caregivers of these high-risk individuals to get vaccinated as well," said Janice Carson, M.D., M.S.A, Interim District Health Director, Cobb & Douglas Public Health.
Who should get the flu shot now
People in high-risk categories who should receive a flu shot in early October include:
- Anyone 50 years of age or older
- Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities
- Anyone with long term health problems
- All children 6 months to five years of age
- Pregnant women
- Anyone with a weakened immune system
- Anyone with muscle or nerve disorders
- Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of high-risk individuals
Each year seasonal flu accounts for more than 200,000 hospitalizations and approximately 36,000 deaths in the United States. According to health officials, more people die from the flu than any other vaccine-preventable disease.
How to get a flu shot
The cost of the flu vaccine is $20. Medicaid and Medicare can also be billed for these services. Those wishing to be vaccinated should call their local health center for hours of operation. It is not necessary to schedule an appointment.
A mass flu clinic is scheduled for October 17 at Jim Miller Park in Marietta. Walk-in and "drive-thru" services will be available. The clinic will run from 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
For more information about flu clinic hours of operation or the mass flu clinic, please call 770-514-2300 and follow the instructions for immunization and flu information. For more information about seasonal flu, visit cdc.gov.
About Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Cobb & Douglas Public Health serves children, adolescents, and adults of Cobb and Douglas Counties in metropolitan Atlanta with personal health services, a pharmacy, prevention and health promotion programs, epidemiological investigations and health assessment, environmental health inspections and investigations, and emergency preparedness planning and response for natural and man-made disasters including bioterrorism.