The flu, which normally begins November and runs through March, has picked Georgia has its first target. `Georgia is reporting high levels of influenza-like activity,` Anne Schuchat, MD, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

The flu being reported is largely type B rather than the more risky H1N1 type that dominated the 2009 flu season.

Flu season usually peaks between January and March.

Experts say that they believe that this year`s flu vaccine has been well designed and should be effective against most of the flu viruses that are currently circulating. Approximately 160 million doses have been manufactured.

This week is `National Influenza Vaccination Week.` The CDC continues to recommend influenza vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older.

Health officials estimate that roughly 1 in 3 Americans have already received flu shots. Those 65 and older have the highest vaccination rate.