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Flu Season Is Here...Get Your Flu Shot !
Posted on December 05, 2012
Flu season has officially arrived in Tennessee, with cases of seasonal influenza now categorized as widespread in our state. But it’s not too late to vaccinate! The Department of Health urges all Tennesseans who have not yet received a flu vaccine to get one now to help protect vulnerable people around them, their families and themselves from the flu virus.
“This is the earliest start to an ordinary flu season in Tennessee since 2003, with seasonal flu now spreading in communities across our state,” said Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner. “People who are still unvaccinated are at increased risk of getting sick and spreading the virus to others. It’s very important for people who are not yet vaccinated to do so now.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this week that the vaccine is a good match for the flu strains currently circulating in the U.S. CDC officials caution that the most common strain of influenza now circulating tends to cause more severe cases of illness, particularly among the elderly. Seasonal flu activity is now highest in the southeastern and south central U.S., including Tennessee. CDC and the Tennessee Department of Health recommend annual flu vaccination for everyone over the age of six months.
Flu vaccine for people of all ages is widely available throughout Tennessee from primary health care providers, walk-in clinics, pharmacies and county health departments. Children covered by TennCare or without insurance that covers flu vaccine can get it for just a small administration fee at county health department clinics through the Vaccines for Children program. Children will not be turned away if parents cannot afford the administration fee.
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