December Newsletter 
Holiday Reminder - Never Too Late in the Season for an Influenza Vaccination 
With holiday lights in place and gifts being wrapped, there is one more item that should be on everyone's holiday to-do list: flu vaccinations. The decision to vaccinate is a personal choice. But listen to the December Wellcast to hear the many reasons why receiving flu vaccinations, even after the holidays, could make this a happier and safer winter for the entire family. Click on the Wellcast icon to the right. 
Vaccinations - The Front Line of Defense Against the Flu 
Influenza is a serious and contagious disease. Each year, approximately 200,000 people are hospitalized while 36,000 die from complications of seasonal flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly vaccination against the seasonal flu as the first step in protecting 
 
 yourself from that virus. Vaccinations are extremely important for people with a high risk for complications from seasonal flu such as those 65 and older, young children, pregnant women and people with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease. 
This year, an additional strain of influenza is circulating  the 2009 H1N1 virus. Unfortunately, the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against H1N1 and a separate vaccination is required if you want to shield yourself from that virus. The at-risk group for complications from 2009 H1N1 is slightly different than the seasonal flu at-risk group. Those most likely to suffer from complications of 2009 H1N1 are children under 25, pregnant women and people younger than 65 years old with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease. 
Both vaccines are important for health care workers and anyone who cares for an individual in one of the at-risk groups. 
The vaccines for either flu virus can be administered through a flu shot, which is an injection by needle, or through a nasal spray. Both are safe for most individuals, however, the nasal spray is only for those between 2 and 49 years of age, who are not pregnant and do not have an underlying health condition. 
The risks from either flu outweigh the risks from either vaccine. Serious side effects from the vaccinations are very rare. Mild side effects may include redness near the injection site of the flu shot, or a runny nose from the nasal spray. 
In the past, flu pandemics hit a peak, stabilize and then often times peak again. Therefore, it is recommended that even though flu activity may slow, and a smaller number of Georgians are catching the flu virus, it is important if you are in a high risk group to get vaccinated against the 2009 H1N1 flu. 
It is important to stay informed about vaccine availability and consider getting vaccinated once vaccine is available in your area. If you want to protect yourself and prevent the spread of influenza, consider whether a flu vaccination is right for you and your family. To learn more about either seasonal flu or H1N1, log onto dch.georgia.gov or georgiahealthinfo. 
 
 gov.