Flu activity up in Georgia as health officials warn of potentially severe season

Scott Turner, right, gets a flu shot from nurse Nicole Simpson at the Salvation Army in Atlanta during the last flu season.

David Goldman) / Associated Press file

Georgia is seeing a high rate of influenza activity throughout the state so far this season.

As mask wearing, social distancing, remote learning and other COVID-19 mitigation strategies continue to ease, federal and state health officials are watching for a potential uptick in respiratory diseases, including the flu.

The American Medical Association and the Atlanta-based United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the flu vaccine for everyone age six months and up.