The Chattooga County Health Department, 60 Farrar Drive, Summerville, is now offering flu shots on a walk-in basis. “You can get a flu shot by walking in at your health department any time during regular business hours Monday through Friday,” says health department nurse manager Judy Wesson. “We have the quadrivalent vaccine, which provides broader protection against circulating flu viruses, and if you haven’t already done so, you can also get a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older with any licensed, age-appropriate flu vaccine. Vaccination against the flu can make illness milder and reduce the risk of more serious outcomes, making it especially important for those at higher risk of complications, such as people over 65, children younger than 5, pregnant women and those with certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or obesity. Some of those same groups are also at high risk of complications from COVID-19.

Flu vaccinations are available at hospitals, pharmacies, private medical offices, some federally qualified health care centers as well as at all ten Northwest Georgia county health departments. COVID-19 vaccines may now be administered at the same time as other vaccines, including the flu vaccine, for those who need both. This fall and winter – don’t wait to vaccinate for flu and COVID-19.