As flu rages, the Trump administration has pulled the plug on a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention flu immunization campaign that targeted high-risk groups, including pregnant women.

Georgia and much of the nation reported very high or high levels of influenza as of the beginning of February.

The Georgia Department of Public Health says flu and COVID numbers are going up quickly as people return to work and school after the holidays.

The Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 1.9 million people have experienced flu-like illnesses so far this season, with 970 deaths and 23,000 hospitalizations nationwide.

According to reported flu vaccine uptake in the 2023-2024 season, only about 41% of Georgians got the shot.

How dangerous is the strain of COVID circulating in Georgia, who should get a vaccine booster and can you go to work or school with a virus?

As public health officials gain information about COVID-19 and its effects, they say compelling data show vaccination can help prevent both serious illness and long COVID.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say 56% of Georgians are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. But only a quarter got the updated variant-targeting shots this flu season.  

Experts warn winter could bring a spike in flu, RSV and COVID-19 cases. Respiratory illness rates are high and continue to overwhelm hospitals. 

Some epidemiologists say the upcoming flu season is a bit of uncharted territory with respect to its expected intensity. That’s because, over the last two years, people have been wearing masks to avoid catching COVID-19, which also dramatically slowed transmission of influenza viruses.  

After virtually disappearing for the last two years, there are troubling clues that the flu could come roaring back this year, to cause trouble alongside COVID.

October marks the start of the annual flu season, which typically worsens as the mercury drops before ending around May. And with Georgia hospitals still packed with COVID-19 patients, a bad flu season could mean even more strain on already stressed health workers.

The president of the Medical Association of Georgia said Wednesday this flu season could be worse than last year’s, and again stressed the importance of getting both a flu and COVID-19 vaccine.

With all the talk about COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, it's easy to forget that there's another respiratory virus poised to strike. We tackle questions about why a flu vaccine matters now.

With COVID-19 cases rising across the state, a flu shot is even more important this year because the more people who contract COVID-19 and influenza, the more likely patients will need care in a hospital, Georgia Nurses Association President Richard Lamphier said.