Another shipment of flu vaccine has arrived at the Fayette County Health Department, and doses will be administered to the public on a walk-in basis beginning Monday, officials said.

The vaccine will then be available on a first-come, first-serve basis while supplies last, public health officials said. The vaccine will be available between the hours of 8:30 and 11 a.m. and between 1:30 and 4 p.m.

Interested persons are urged to call the health department at 770-461-1178, ext. 5416 to check vaccine availability before coming in.

The walk-in vaccinations coincide with National Influenza Vaccination Week, designed to raise awareness of the need for continuing vaccination.

Pneumonia vaccine is also available at the health department by appointment.

The Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, is reporting the first confirmed cases of influenza (flu) of the 2006-2007 flu season.

The cases, which were confirmed by the state Public Health Laboratory last week, were from Bartow and Cobb counties.

Although these represent the first officially confirmed cases of flu, it is likely that flu may also be circulating in other parts of the state.

All Georgians are encouraged to protect themselves from the flu through vaccination, and practicing proper hand-washing. Additionally, ill persons should stay at home, cover coughs and sneezes, and practice good hand-washing to avoid spreading viral illnesses to others.

“The appearance of flu this time of year is to be expected,” said Dr. Stuart Brown, director of the Division of Public Health. “In our surveillance activities we have begun to see an increase in reports of influenza-like-illness from providers and I expect we’ll see even more heading into December. We’ll continue to monitor flu activity in the state throughout the winter and into the spring.”

He emphasized that the cases of flu confirmed in Georgia were not avian influenza, but common influenza A (H1) and influenza B viruses.

Health officials say that holiday gatherings and travel often help spread the flu, and recommend that anyone with fever or other flu-like symptoms limit their contact at family gatherings and observe cough etiquette in the presence of others. Frequent hand washing can also help reduce the risk of becoming infected with flu and other respiratory viruses that circulate this time of year.

“It’s unfortunate that the arrival of the holiday season is also the arrival of flu. Large social gatherings can create an environment in which flu can spread fairly easily,” said Brown. “I would strongly encourage individuals to practice prevention techniques such as getting vaccinated, consistently washing their hands, and covering their cough and sneeze to prevent the spread of the influenza virus.”

Influenza is a respiratory illness characterized by high fever (102 degrees or greater), muscle aches, headache, sore throat, and dry cough, that can last from a few days to over a week. Children can also experience gastrointestinal symptoms with flu, including diarrhea and vomiting. Although most people survive influenza illness without incident, the elderly, infants and children, and people with certain chronic medical conditions are most prone to complications from flu, most notably pneumonia. Approximately 36,000 people die and more than 200,000 are hospitalized as a result of influenza each year in the U.S.

The most effective way to prevent or lessen the severity of the flu is to receive a flu vaccination. Although shipping delays affected vaccine arrival in some parts of Georgia, flu vaccine continues to be available in the state. Georgians should be reminded that immediately after the Thanksgiving holiday, Nov. 27 – Dec. 3, is the first National Influenza Vaccination Week.

Federal, state, and local health officials will be encouraging individuals that have not received a flu shot yet to get one. Getting vaccinated in late November or December is not too late to receive some protection from the flu.

Flu season in Georgia typically peaks in late January and early February. Individuals can contact their local public health department, private practitioner, grocery store or pharmacy to inquire about availability and cost of vaccine in their area. For an overview of flu activity in the U.S., visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivity.htm.

Health officials are encouraging everyone to take precautions to reduce chances of getting the flu:

• Wash your hands regularly;

• Keep household surfaces clean;

• Don’t attend work or school when ill;

• Don’t share glasses or eating utensils; and

• Cover coughs and sneezes.

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