Avoid the Flu! Cobb & Douglas Public Health Encourages Residents to get their Flu Shots

Don’t let the flu virus get the best of you during the busy holiday season. Cobb & Douglas Public Health (CDPH) urges all residents 6 months of age and older to get a yearly flu vaccine. “It’s easy and convenient for residents to get a flu vaccine,” said Priti Kohle, director of immunizations at Cobb & Douglas Public Health. “We offer flu shots at our Marietta, Douglas, East Cobb and Acworth public health centers and there’s no appointment needed. It’s a minor commitment to staying healthy throughout the holidays.”

Influenza can be a serious disease that leads to hospitalization and sometimes death. Regardless of race, age, gender or ethnicity, anyone can get sick from the flu. Those especially at risk are adults 65 years of age and older, children younger than 5, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or other long-term medical conditions.

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) reminds Georgians that the best protection against the flu is a flu vaccine. The vaccination is currently available in the shot form. CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), also known as the “nasal spray” flu vaccine, should not be used during the 2016-2017 flu season.

For more information about the flu vaccine, contact the Immunization Clinic at 770-514-2349.