Flu comes early to Georgia

The first cases of flu have arrived in Georgia. Clinics in east Georgia report a few positive flu tests on Friday and Monday. Experts say this is a little early, and that Christmas is usually when doctors start to see the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta call this National Influenza Vaccination week to urge people to get vaccinated.

(Augusta Chronicle)

More flu vaccines next season

Flu vaccine companies expect to make a record number of doses for next flu season. Today's announcement by Atlanta based Centers for Disease Control comes amid concerns that demand may drop because this year's vaccine was largely ineffective. The CDC says five companies plan to make at least 143 million doses for the 2008-2009 season.

Flu hits UGA

Flu season has arrived on the University of Georgia campus. Health care workers have treated 485 people with flu-like symptoms since January 21st. That's more than three times as many as the same period last year. Experts say the flu season is getting worse partly because the flu vaccine doesn't protect against most of the spreading flu bugs.