VALDOSTA – Lowndes County Health Department will begin offering free flu shots to uninsured adults in the Lowndes County community Tuesday, Jan. 30, while supplies last. There will also be a “fast-track” in the health department for anyone still in need of their flu vaccine, including those with private insurance.

“This has turned out to be an extremely bad flu season,” said Dr. William Grow, district health director. “We want to ensure every person in our community has access to the flu vaccine, whether they can pay for it or not. Insurance carriers cover the flu vaccine for those that are insured.”

Flu is widespread in Georgia. The predominant strain of flu circulating in Georgia and around the country is influenza A (H3N2). The strain can be particularly hard on the very young, people older than age 65, or people with existing medical conditions. Every individual older than 6 months of age should get a flu shot annually.

Flu symptoms and their intensity can vary from person to person, and can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Anyone who thinks they have the flu should call or visit a doctor, Grow said.

Other prevention tips for flu are:

— Frequent and thorough hand-washing with soap and warm water. Alcohol-based gels are the next best thing if you don’t have access to soap and water.

— Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing to help prevent the spread of the flu. Use a tissue or cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow or arm.

— Avoid touching your face as flu germs can get into the body through mucus membranes of the nose, mouth and eyes.

— If you are sick, stay home from school or work. Flu sufferers should be free of a fever, without the use of a fever reducer, for at least 24 hours before returning to school or work.

Lowndes County Health Department hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday; 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday. For more information, call (229) 333-5257.