Licensed Practical Nurse Melanie
Boestfleisch, right, administers a
flu shot Thursday to Veronica Vargas
of Gainesville at the Health
Department. Photo by Sara Guevara/gainesvilletimes.com
Last week, 57 percent of respondents to a PHWEEK poll reported receiving their
flu shot. This flu season, the Department of Public Health (DPH) is encouraging
Georgians to once again get their flu shot on time. Many of our local public
health departments are offering special events and hours to accommodate
community members.
Each year, flu season presents an opportunity for all public and private
providers to remind Georgians of the importance of getting a flu shot.
For the second year in a row, the pharmacy Walgreens is offering $10 million
nationwide in free flu shots to people who can't afford them or whose health
insurance won't cover the shot. Vouchers for 300,000 free shots will be
distributed through local public health departments. The vouchers are available
on a first-come, first-served basis.
Flu vaccines are recommended for all people older than six months. It is
especially important for people in high-risk situations to get shots, the CDC
advises, including:
Pregnant women.
Children under the age of 2.
People over the age of 50.
People with certain chronic medical conditions.
People who live in nursing homes or long-term care facilities.
People who live with or care for those at high risk of complications from the
flu.
It is not too late to get the flu shot, your best protection against the flu.
