As flu season draws near, health officials in coastal Georgia are urging residents to prioritize early vaccination. The updated flu vaccine is now available, and experts emphasize that getting vaccinated sooner rather than later could significantly impact health outcomes this season. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 30,000 Americans died from the flu last year, with over 40 million cases reported across the country.
Dr. Bonzo Reddick, the Health Director of the Coastal Health District, stressed that the best time to get vaccinated is before flu activity surges. “This is the perfect time to get your flu vaccine so that you don’t catch it when flu season really starts to ramp up,” he stated. Current flu levels in Georgia are low, but as temperatures drop, an increase in cases is expected.
Importance of Early Vaccination
The flu vaccine requires about two weeks to become fully effective, making early vaccination crucial for protection. High-risk groups, including older adults, children under two, pregnant individuals, and those with chronic health conditions such as asthma or diabetes, face a higher risk of serious complications from the virus. Nonetheless, Dr. Reddick cautioned that even healthy individuals can suffer severe illness from the flu, highlighting the need for widespread vaccination to protect the community.
“Flu vaccine doesn’t necessarily stop you from having the ability to catch flu, but it does prevent you from becoming seriously ill or dying if you do catch flu,” explained Dr. Reddick. “It also decreases the risk by about half of actually catching it in the first place.”
Flu shots are currently available at all clinics within the Coastal Health District, which serves eight counties: McIntosh, Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, and Long. Importantly, vaccines are offered regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. The flu causes over 200,000 hospitalizations annually in the U.S., with last year experiencing a spike nearing 500,000 hospitalizations.
Local Vaccination Events
To facilitate access to the vaccine, several drive-thru flu shot clinics are scheduled across the region. Notable dates and locations include:
- Chatham County Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinic: Friday, October 31, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Memorial Stadium, 101 John J. Scott Drive, Savannah.
- Effingham County Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinic: Tuesday, October 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Clarence Morgan Recreational Complex, 1750 GA-21 S, Springfield.
- Glynn County Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinic: Thursday, September 25, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the health department, 2747 Fourth Street, Brunswick.
- Long County Drive-Thru Clinic: Thursday, September 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the health department, 584 N. Macon Street, Ludowici.
- McIntosh County Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinic: Thursday, October 9, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the health department, 1335 GA Hwy 57, Townsend.
For more information about flu vaccinations, including locating a clinic by zip code or accessing a list of upcoming events, residents can visit the Georgia Coastal Health District’s official website.
With early vaccination, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of severe illness, reinforcing the importance of taking action before flu season fully sets in.
