The holidays are fast approaching and your schedule is getting increasingly hectic. There are presents to pick, trees to trim and parties to plan. National Influenza (flu) Vaccination Week is December 8-14 and the Georgia Department of Public Health encourages Georgians to get their flu vaccine. This winter, don’t forget to make a date to vaccinate. Take the time and schedule an appointment with your health care provider or your local public health department to get your flu vaccine.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone six months and older get their flu vaccine,” said Steven Mitchell, immunization director for the Georgia Department of Public Health. “It’s easy to get caught up in our busy holiday schedules and forget to take the simplest step in protecting ourselves and our loved ones from vaccine-preventable diseases like the flu.”

Influenza can be a serious disease that leads to hospitalization and sometimes death. Regardless of race, age, gender or ethnicity, everyone can get sick from the flu. Those especially at risk are adults 65 years of age and older, children younger than five, pregnant women, people with certain chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or other long-term medical conditions.

The best protection against the flu is a flu vaccine. Getting a flu vaccine is more convenient than ever before. Vaccines are available from your doctor or local health department. Many employers, schools, colleges and universities also offer flu vaccines. In addition you can get your flu vaccine as a shot or even as a nasal spray.

National Influenza Vaccination Week emphasizes the importance of receiving an annual flu vaccination. Even healthy children and adults can get very sick from the flu. So this winter, the Georgia Department of Public Health encourages all Georgians take those few minutes to call your health department to make a date to vaccinate.

For more information on immunization, visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/