Kids are settling back into school routines and parents are back to balancing work, PTA meetings and sports practices.

With so much going on this time of year, it is easy to forget the details, but one thing parents need to remember is that flu season is just around the corner.  

To help parents fit their child's flu vaccination into their own busy schedule, many school children across Georgia will have the opportunity to receive a flu vaccine at school-based flu clinics through the Georgia Department of Public Health's (DPH) school-based flu program. By making sure Georgia's school children are vaccinated, the children and their families are better protected against the flu.

Flu seasons are unpredictable, and can begin as early as October. The CDC recommends everyone age 6 months and older get a flu vaccine each year. Getting a flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. The CDC also recommends people get vaccinated against influenza as soon as the 2012-2013 vaccine becomes available in their community.

To support flu vaccination efforts taking place across the state, the DPH Division of Communications developed a radio and television media campaign that encourages parents to talk to their school about the school-based flu program. The messaging campaign begins in the Valdosta area with radio broadcasts, then spreads across the state based on clinic dates and location of the media markets. Click here to view the TV commercial!

Flu vaccines are also available at private physicians' offices, local county health departments and many pharmacies. For general information about school-based flu clinics and flu vaccinations, visit http://www.dph.ga.gov/flu/SBFclinics.asp

-Story by DPH Communications