It's that time again and the Fayette County Health Department is urging all senior citizens, children and other high risk patients to get their flu shots.

The health department will continue to offer a walk-in clinic through Friday. Thereafter, appointments are required.

Last year, the health department vaccinated 3,500 patients in less than a month before they ran out of vaccines. This year, the health department ordered 4,000 units of the influenza vaccine and has been forced to rent a refrigerator to accommodate the extra vaccines.

According to Cynthia Grant, R.N. at the Fayette County Health Department, the clinic has averaged 450 patients a day so far.

The Georgia Adult Immunization Coalition, comprising over 40 health and advocacy organizations, has asked people not to minimize the danger of flu especially senior citizens.

The American Lung Association reports that influenza and pneumonia, the most common complication of flu, are the fifth leading cause of death among Americans over the age of 65 and sixth leading cause of death among all Americans.

Last year, Medicare billing data showed that less than 45 percent of Georgia seniors has flu vaccines.

Symptoms of flu include: body aches, exhaustion, high fever, respiratory inflammation, congestion, and cough.

The Coalition also finds that more than $12 billion is lost each year due to medical costs, lost wages and productivity.

The virus travels through the air in tiny droplets expelled by a person who sneezes, coughs or even when he speaks. The droplets cling to air particles and can be breathed in. Once the virus enters the body, it invades other cells and begins reproducing.

While the vaccine cannot infect the patient and rarely causes any side effects other than soreness where the shot was given, it is not for people allergic to eggs.

The flu vaccine is made from highly purified, egg-grown viruses that cause your body to produce antibodies when injected. The vaccine does not prevent virus contraction 100 percent of the time, but will lessen the chances.

The Fayette County Health Department is offering vaccines from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. For more information, call 770-461-6041 or visit their website at www://admin.co.fayette.ga.us/health/health4.http.

Additional information can also be obtained by calling the American Lung Association at 1-800-LUNG-USA.

Flu facts:

High-risk groups: If you're over the age of 65 or if you suffer from a chronic health condition or lung disease such as asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis, you should get vaccinated for influenza.

Timing is everything: The prime time to get an influenza vaccine is between Oct. 1 and Nov. 15 before the flu season kicks in.

Accessibility: Influenza vaccines are available from your private doctor, your health maintenance organization (HMO) and almost anywhere you receive health care. Flu shots are covered by Medicare and other health insurance programs.

Once is not enough: A person can have influenza more than once because the virus that causes influenza may belong to different strains of influenza "families." That's why it's important to get an annual flu shot to protect yourself against the current year's influenza virus.

It doesn't hurt: Most people experience little or no reaction to the vaccine. One in four people might have a swollen, red, tender area where the shot was delivered.

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