Georgia experiencing widespread flu

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR

Georgia’s public health agency is urging residents to get flu shots without delay, saying illnesses as widespread across the state.

The Georgia Department of Public Health has confirmed that more than 200 people statewide have been hospitalized because of flu this season, and two people have died from flu-related sickness.

District Two Public Health spokesman Dave Palmer says even though it’s kind of late in the season it’s still a good idea to get vaccinated if you have not already done so.

“I would encourage folks to go ahead and get the flu vaccine because it is the best protection against flu,” he said. “The best way to prevent flu is to prevent the spread of germs. We do that by washing our hands, covering our face when we cough or sneeze and to stay home when we are sick.”

Palmer said we still have a ways to go before we’re out of the flu season so it’s not too late to get vaccinated.

The CDC notes older people with weaker immune systems often have a lower protective immune response after flu vaccination compared to younger, healthier people.

However, local health departments such as the Franklin and Hart counties health departments offer a stronger dose flu vaccine specifically designed for persons over the age of 65.

Everyone older than 6 months should get a flu shot, according Georgia’s public health commissioner, Dr. Kathleen Toomey.

Toomey said it usually takes two weeks after the shot for a person’s body to develop the antibodies needed to fight the flu.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there have been more than 2.6 million flu-related illnesses nationwide.