FOR RELEASE SEPTEMBER 27, 2017
MAG ENCOURAGING GEORGIANS TO GET FLU VACCINE BY END OF OCTOBER
ATLANTA – The Medical Association of Georgia (MAG) is encouraging Georgians to get vaccinated for the flu by the end of October.
“It is really important for every patient who is six months or older to get vaccinated for the flu once a year,” says MAG President Steven M. Walsh, M.D. “And they should ideally discuss their vaccination options with their primary care physician as a part of their overall health maintenance program.”
Dr. Walsh stresses that the October timeline is an important consideration, explaining that, “This is normally the time of year that we start to receive reports of patients who have flu symptoms, and the physician community wants to get a jump on any outbreaks – consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations.”
He adds that, “Once a patient gets vaccinated, it normally takes several weeks for the antibodies to develop in their body – and it could take up to six weeks or so before they reach the optimum level of protection.”
Dr. Walsh also points out that, “There is also an anti-viral medication that patients who develop flu-like symptoms can consider, but they need to begin taking that within the first day or two of the first signs of symptoms.”
Flu symptoms include high fever, headache, fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, and muscle aches. The most vulnerable patient populations include young patients, the elderly, and the immune-deficient.
Dr. Walsh emphasizes, “While most people recover in a few days, the virus can be deadly and it can lead to pneumonia and other serious complications.”
And he concludes that, “Of course, the best way to prevent the flu is to wash your hands on a regular basis.”
Also go here to watch a ‘Move the Needle’ video that was produced by Sandra Fryhofer, M.D. – a graduate of the MAG Foundation’s Georgia Physicians Leadership Academy – to increase vaccination rates in Georgia.
With nearly 8,000 members, MAG is the leading voice for physicians in Georgia. MAG is an advocate for physicians in every practice setting and specialty. Go to www.mag.org for additional information.
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