Cases of COVID-19 and flu have risen sharply in Georgia since the Christmas holidays, State Epidemiologist Dr. Cherie Drenzek reported Tuesday. 

Flu and COVID-19 infections have been increasing for weeks across the U.S., and health officials predict infections will continue to grow. 

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 main reason the surge is ebbing now, pandemic experts suspect, is the significant immunity many people in the U.S. have acquired from prior infections and COVID vaccinations many received.

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.  

Some flu experts are urging many people to get their shots earlier than usual this year because of the potential for an early, possibly severe flu season. But what's the best timing for you?

The COVID-19 vaccine strategy may be shifting toward Americans getting yearly vaccinations, like many do with annual flu shots.