Metro Atlanta doctors push for flu vaccinations ahead of holidays

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Metro Atlanta doctors are urging people to get vaccinated for the flu ahead of the holidays.

Dr. Dhaval Desai, a primary care physician at The Atlanta Internists, said his office has been busy with people coming in for a cough and congestion, which will likely continue to be the case into the holiday season.

“We are seeing an increase of those wintertime viruses, flu and flu-like illnesses,” he said. “Which can be cough, congestion, fevers.”

That’s why the time for prevention is now, and Desai said that means washing your hands with hot water and soap, plus wearing a mask if you are sick and traveling.

Desai also stressed getting the flu shot, especially because there’s a new variant called subclade k. Though this year’s flu shot wasn’t built to fight that variant, Desai said the shot still can make a difference.

Right now, Desai said there are lower rates of flu vaccinations for varying reasons, which isn’t ideal.

“For me as a front line physician, I will always advocate for the flu vaccine,” he said. “Even with this new variant, what we are seeing, you’ll still get some degree of protection despite the mutation. You’re better off with the flu shot.”