NASHVILLE — State health officials are urging Tennesseans to act now and get their flu vaccines in order to protect not just themselves but others who may be even more vulnerable.
“Getting our flu vaccination is really about protecting other people, not just ourselves,” said Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, a physician, in a news release today. “Even those who think ‘I have never been sick from the flu’ have probably passed it to another person at some point. It is easier than ever to do the right thing and get vaccinated.”
Flu vaccines either through shots or nasal spray are widely available across Tennessee from any number of sources and don’t take much time to do, officials say. They’re asking Tennesseans to contact their health care provider about nearby flu vaccine locations. Or, they can visit the Vaccine Finder available at http://flushot.healthmap.org/.
Tennessee Immunization Program Director Kelly Moore, a physician, called influenza deaths “tragic” and noted they “impact families across Tennessee every year. It’s important these families know there are things they can do to keep their loved ones healthy during the flu season, especially getting a flu vaccine.”
While everyone over six months of age is encouraged to get a flu vaccine, officials say it’s especially important for young children, the elderly and pregnant women to get vaccinated.