With the holiday season in full swing, health officials are urging the public to get their annual flu shots as influenza cases see an upturn in Georgia. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, based in Atlanta, approximately 1.9 million people have battled flu-like illnesses so far this season. This season's toll includes nearly 970 deaths and around 23,000 hospitalizations nationwide.
Vaccination rates remain lower than desired, with under one-third of Georgia's children and adults having received the influenza vaccine, as reported by GPB. Yet, with flu season peaking potentially as late as February, the CDC underscores that getting vaccinated now can still fend off illness during later months. Despite the steady rise in flu cases, Georgia’s flu season has been classified as moderate.
Dr. Chris Parker, associate director for field services at the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, emphasized the importance of vaccination. In a statement obtained by GPB, Parker expressed that "the best disease prevention strategy is vaccination," and recommended that getting both the seasonal COVID and flu boosters in the same appointment is a best practice. Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, along with COVID-19 adds to the current respiratory disease activity in the state. RSV vaccines, thereby, come recommended for pregnant individuals, infants, and the elderly over 60.
"RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalizations in the U.S.," Parker told GPB. While most individuals recover from RSV within a week or two, the disease can escalate to serious conditions, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, particularly in children under one. It’s crucial that those eligible, as appropriate, get the RSV vaccine to avoid these severe complications. Parker also pointed out that although the flu vaccine may not ward off all flu illnesses, it can certainly reduce the severity of the disease for those who do become infected.
