Piedmont, St. Mary’s Healthcare Urging Flu Vaccines Amid Increased Influenza Cases

Georgia is experiencing increased levels of influenza (flu) illnesses, according to health experts.

And on Tuesday, experts at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center and St. Mary’s Health Care System issued an urgent plea for area residents to take precautions to protect themselves and their families from the flu this season.

Dr. Robert Sinyard, M.D., chief medical officer at Piedmont Athens Regional, tells WNEG News complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections and worsening of certain chronic medical conditions.

“Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections and worsening of certain chronic medical conditions,” he said.

That’s why it’s important for people of all ages to make sure they’re vaccinated this year.

Dr. Sinyard advises that the most effective way to protect yourself against the flu is to get an annual flu vaccine.

The flu vaccine protects your body against what research suggests will be the most common flu viruses that season.

District 2 Public Health spokesman Dave Palmer tells WNEG News local health departments all have plenty of flu vaccine still available.

So, if you have not yet gotten the vaccine, he says now is a good time.

“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.”

If you are sick, both Gambrell and Dr. Sinyard advise staying home except to go to the doctor, to reduce the risk of spreading the flu to others.

Palmer said normally flu activity peaks in January and February, but in some years it has gone all the way into the summer months.

Area health departments have both types of flu vaccines available: the shot and the nasal spray.

The CDC recommends that all persons, six months of age and older, who can take the flu shot, be vaccinated.

And the “high-dose” influenza vaccine is recommended for individuals age 65 years and older.

Palmer said during last year’s flu season, the CDC estimated 49-million people were infected by flu viruses, which caused over 950,000 hospitalizations and an estimated 79,000 deaths.