Flu Season is Coming Early This Year — Find out Where to Get a Flu Shot in Barrow County

Flu season is coming early in parts of the United States — this time last year, flu cases were much lower in Atlanta than they are now, according to estimates on Google's Flu Trends. (Barrow County-specific data is not available.)

Overall in Georgia, activity is considered intense now, while it was considered moderate at this time in 2011, according to Flu Trends. Flu Trends is a Google tool that uses aggregated search data to estimate flu activity.

If you're considering getting a flu shot, here are some places in Barrow County that offer the vaccine:

• Barrow County Health Department
• Walgreens 
• Target Pharmacy 
• CVS Pharmacy

Find more locations to get a flu vaccine here or by typing in your ZIP Code above.

According to this week's CDC Flu activity report, influenza levels are on the increase across the country. 

Five states — Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee — are reporting flu rates not normally seen until January, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The flu season normally peaks in January and February.

Holiday travel and more time spent indoors due to soggy weather will contribute to the spread of the flu virus, so now is the time to get vaccinated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers the following information:

• Who should get vaccinated
• When to get vaccinated
• Selecting a flu vaccine
• Symptoms, complications and severity
• Treatment if you get the flu
• How flu spreads

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