November 30, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
Get a flu shot! Tennessee’s county health departments are holding special “FightFluTN” events December 5 to provide flu shots at no charge to increase the number of people vaccinated in Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Health urges all Tennesseans who have not yet received a flu shot this flu season to get one as soon as possible, as seasonal influenza is spreading across the state.
DeKalb County Health Department/Community Health Center will be hosting a completely free flu clinic December 5 from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at 254 Tiger Drive, Smithville.
“Flu kills, and we expect many more weeks of the annual seasonal flu epidemic ahead in Tennessee, so everyone who hasn’t yet had a flu vaccine should get one now, and you can do so for free December 5,” said TDH Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH. “Flu vaccination is still the best protection we have against this serious and deadly illness. The vaccine that can help prevent illness in you can also save another from illness or death if they were to get your flu, a kindness to others that just might save your own life.” All Tennessee county health departments are holding flu shot events Dec. 5 during observances of National Influenza Vaccination Week. This includes all rural county health departments and health department clinics in Chattanooga-Hamilton County, Jackson-Madison County, Knox County, Nashville-Davidson County, Shelby County and Sullivan County. No appointments are needed to get a flu shot during these events.
The Tennessee Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a yearly flu vaccine for everyone aged six months and older. Learn more about fighting seasonal flu at www.cdc.gov/flu/consumer/prevention.htm.