Georgia Officials Urging Vaccinations After 20th Flu-Related Death
The Georgia Department of Public Health confirms the state’s 20th flu-related fatality of this season.
Officials at the DPH say in most fatal cases, the flu poses the biggest threat by weakening a person’s immune system.
“We are seeing lots of severe illnesses, but unfortunately we do see this every year with influenza, but unfortunately, we do see it every year,” says Dr. Michael Jhung, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC expects the H-1-N-1 strain will remain at a high level for the next few weeks and that this flu season could run throughout the spring.
An audio version of this story.
That means there is still time for people to get a flu shot.
“About 40 to 45 percent of people we would like to see vaccinated are getting vaccinated. And our overall goal is 70 percent. Higher for some groups, but overall, we would like to see 70 percent of people vaccinated, who are eligible for vaccination,” says Jhung.
The CDC says the flu has reached widespread status in Georgia and 34-other states.
That’s nearly twice the amount from last week.
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