Georgia faces a surge in flu cases; health officials urge vaccinations

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Across Georgia, flu cases are climbing sharply, and public health officials say the state is preparing for what could be a severe season.

“The symptoms don’t seem to be more severe at this point yet, but the flu this year is super contagious,” said Ginger Heidel, public information officer for the Coastal Health District. She added that a new variant appears to be circulating and that many people lack natural immunity to it.

State health data show a marked rise in flu-related emergency room visits: over the past two weeks, those visits have nearly tripled, officials said. Out of the 13 activity levels used to track flu across Georgia, the state is currently in the highest category.

Heidel pointed to two key factors driving the surge:

• low vaccination rates
• increased mixing in congregate settings

“It’s a combination of low vaccination rates and people coming together in congregate settings... which leads to the spread and rise of the flu activity right now,” she said.

To fight the spread, eight counties across the Coastal Health District are offering free flu vaccines to anyone 6 months or older who does not have insurance. Health officials say it’s not too late to get vaccinated.

“Don’t worry — it’s not too late. You can still get it and it can still help and prevent you from getting the flu,” said Sierra Peebles, nurse manager for the Chatham County Health Department. She emphasized that while the vaccine is not 100 percent effective at preventing infection, it can significantly reduce the severity and duration of illness.

“If you have been vaccinated, it can make your illness and your symptoms less severe and can get you back to normal a whole lot quicker,” Peebles said. She also addressed a common concern: “The flu vaccine is not going to give you the flu. Sometimes after you get a vaccine, you will have an immune response. You may feel a little crummy afterwards, tired, but that’s not the flu.”

The Chatham County health department reports increasing daily demand for the vaccine as more residents respond to the warnings.

Health officials encourage residents to check with their local health department or primary care provider for vaccine availability and clinic times.

They also urge basic prevention measures — get vaccinated, stay home when sick, wash hands frequently, and avoid close contact with others when possible.