COVINGTON, Ga. - Flu season has started, and the Newton County Health Department is ready to vaccinate residents and businesses. 

The Health Department recently kicked off its campaign to fight flu this year: "One Shot to Skip the Flu." 

CDC and the Health Department recommend everyone age six months and older get an annual flu vaccine as early in the season as possible. The Health Department is targeting each age group to promote widespread vaccination.

"The flu shot is the most simple and effective way to protect you and your family from catching the flu," said Dr. Audrey Arona, district health director and CEO of Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Departments. "Just one shot can lower the risk of illness so that your children can stay active, so that parents can save their paid time off, and so that our seniors can avoid complications."

Influenza, the virus that causes the flu, sickens hundreds of residents and workers in Newton County each year, leading to missed days at school and work. In severe cases, flu can also result in hospitalization. 

Each year, the flu shot gets an update to protect against new strains of influenza, which is why it is essential to get the vaccine annually. It can take up to two weeks for an individual to receive full immune protection from the vaccine, so it's best to get the shot early before flu activity increases. 

The flu vaccine also helps protect those who are at risk of complications if they catch the flu. It has also been shown to limit the severity of flu for those who get vaccinated but still get sick.

"Flu can cause a tremendous increase in work or school absence that can span up to a couple of weeks," Arona said. "Between promoting flu vaccination and reminding sick employees and students to stay home, we can limit the spread of flu this season and keep our families safe and healthy."

The Newton County Health Department is fully stocked with flu vaccine, including the quadrivalent vaccine for broader coverage of flu strains and the high-dose vaccine for those 65 and older. Most insurances cover the vaccine. 

The Health Department is also working with local businesses and schools to provide onsite flu clinics for their employees. Health Department staff set up at the company to conveniently administer immunizations.

To learn more about scheduling an onsite flu clinic, visit www.gnrhealth.com/flu or to find the nearest location, visit www.gnrhealth.com/locations.