National Influenza Vaccination Week begins Monday

Media release: Flu season has been in full swing since August, but it's never too late to guard yourself against infection. Dec. 4 is the first day of National Influenza Vaccination Week, and the Floyd County Health Department would like to emphasize the continued importance of flu vaccination for all Georgians. The health department still has flu shots available. Call 706-295-6123 for more information.

"People of every race, class and environment are equally susceptible to flu infection," said Floyd County Health Department Nurse Manager Pat Townley. "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that everyone six months and older receive a flu shot and failure to get vaccinated accounts for countless needless infections each year."

According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, communication lapses between patients and doctors are partly to blame. A recent survey by the CDC concluded that one in five adults believes vaccines are optional for healthy adults.

Operating under this impression, a significant portion of the population will fail to arm itself against the flu this coming season, putting everyone at higher risk for continued

infection and transmission of the disease. CDC survey results show only 40.5 percent of Georgians were vaccinated in 2010-2011. In this category, Georgia ranks 41 out of the 50 states.

"An influenza vaccination is the best way to prevent flu and potentially serious complications," said Townley. "Parents who take their children to get the flu vaccine can rest a little easier knowing they are helping to protect their family against a potentially serious illness."

National Influenza Vaccination Week emphasizes the importance of flu vaccinations and presents an ideal time to improve Georgia's rankings. Flu season starts as early as August but can extend as late as May. The CDC recommends that everyone get to a doctor's office, pharmacy or health department and invest in good health through vaccination this winter.

The Floyd County Health Department encourages all Georgians to protect their friends, family and themselves from vaccine-preventable diseases by getting vaccinated. For more information on immunization, visit http://health.state.ga.us/programs/immunization.

General Influenza Facts

National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is December 4-10 and emphasizes the benefits and importance of using widespread inoculation to halt the spread of influenza

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone 6 months and older receive an influenza vaccination. Immunization is one of the most effective ways to protect children and adults against many common infectious diseases including the flu

The flu can cause serious complications for people with a wide range of pre-existing conditions, including asthma, heart disease, blood disorders, liver disorders, immune system deficiencies and many more

Flu symptoms can include coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, fatigue and, in some cases, high fever

The influenza vaccination is an inactivated vaccine given with a needle and the single best way to prevent Influenza is to get vaccinated each year. An alternative method to shots is the nasal-spray flu vaccine*

Vaccines are available in a wide variety of locations, including doctor's offices, clinics, health departments, pharmacies and college health centers. Some employers and schools even offer them. Don't let unavailability prevent you or your loved ones from getting vaccinated

For many children, two doses of flu vaccine may be necessary to achieve full inoculation. It's imperative that children receive the first of these two shots sooner rather than later, as they may take time to set in, leaving the child exposed to infection

It's never too late to get vaccinated: Flu season can start as early as August, but it can also extend all the way into May, depending on the year

Medicare Part B reimburses fully for both influenza and pneumococcal immunizations　

*Vaccination with the nasal-spray flu vaccine is an option for healthy people 2 – 49 years of age who are not pregnant

Influenza Statistics

Each year, on average more than 36,000 people die from seasonal flu complications; 90 percent of these deaths are in persons 65 years of age and older.

More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from the flu or flu-related illness each year.

In Georgia in 2010, 61.8 percent of 65 years and older received an annual seasonal influenza vaccination. The Healthy People 2020 goal is 90 percent

Pneumonia and influenza together are the seventh leading cause of death among older adults according to the American Lung Association

Only 42 percent of health care workers are immunized against influenza each year, despite long-standing recommendations by the CDC and other leading health organizations. Health care workers infected with influenza can spread this dangerous virus to their patients, who are often more vulnerable to the disease's severe complications