As of early Tuesday afternoon, the Fayette County Health Department still had some flu vaccine in stock.

The vaccine is being distributed to walk-in patients and the price has been discounted to $20. The vaccine is offered between 8:30-11 a.m. and 1:30-4 p.m. on weekdays while supplies last.

Interested persons are encouraged to call the health department ahead of time to check vaccine availability by calling 770-461-1178, ext. 5416.

Pneumonia vaccine is available at the health department by appointment. Everyone should be vaccinated to reduce their risk of catching the flu, especially those at highest risk of dangerous complications: persons over the age of 50, young children under the age of 5, and anyone with chronic health issues such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes.

Flu season does not typically peak in Georgia till January or February, and therefore getting vaccinated in late November or December can still provide protection against the flu. Individuals should be aware that the vaccine typically takes about two weeks after receiving it to begin protecting against the flu virus. Additionally, the flu shot contains inactivated virus, and therefore cannot make you sick.

Health officials encourage everyone to take the following steps to reduce their 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.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.

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.

For an overview of flu activity in the U.S., visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivity.htm.

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