The Hamilton County Health Department and other health departments across Southeastern Tennessee will offer free, drive-through flu shots on Tuesday as part of the statewide "Fight Flu Tenn." initiative.
Each Southeast Tennessee county has at least one location hosting a flu shot event, with Hamilton County's event open to adults age 18 and up and those in surrounding counties for anyone 6 months and older.
Those seeking a vaccine can either drive or walk up to get a free shot while supplies last, and no appointment is needed. Attendees in Hamilton County will be asked to put on a face mask while in their vehicle.
(READ MORE: It's flu vaccine time, even if you've had your COVID shots)
"As we move into the flu season, we want to encourage all residents to stay safe and healthy by receiving their flu shot as soon as possible," Sabrina Novak, Hamilton County Health Department administrator, said in a news release. "We are also excited to continue our parTenn.ership with Orchard Knob Baptist Church and thankful they are willing to serve as an event host this year."
Getting a flu shot can not only keep people healthy but it helps lessen the burden on the health care system as COVID-19 continues to spread, the news release states.
"Both the flu and COVID-19 viruses can be spread at the same time, and you can be infected with both simultaneously. In addition to getting the vaccine for both, it is important to continue wearing a mask, social distancing and washing your hands," the health department release said.
(READ MORE: Health experts urge public to get flu shot to head off 'twindemic')
Tennessee Department of Health officials in a news release urged all Tennesseans ages 6 months and older who have not yet received a flu shot this season to get one as soon as possible. Children under 5, adults 65 and up, pregnant women and people with medical conditions are at highest risk for serious flu complications.
During the 2019-2020 flu season, approximately 35 million people were sickened by the flu, 380,000 were hospitalized and 20,000 individuals died, according to the most recent estimates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The United States experienced an unusually low amount of flu activity during the 2020-2021 season due in part to COVID-19 mitigation measures, which also help prevent the flu. However, experts warn that influenza could come roaring back this year as more people resume pre-pandemic activities.
Find a flu shot event near you:
- Orchard Knob Baptist Church in Hamilton County; 1734 E. 3rd St., Chattanooga; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Bledsoe County Fairgrounds; Allen P. Deakins Road, Pikeville, Tenn.; 9 a.m.-12 p.m. CST.
- Cleveland Family YMCA in Bradley County; 220 Urbane Road N.E., Cleveland, Tenn.; 2:30-6:30 p.m.
- Franklin County Health Department; 338 Joyce Lane, Winchester, Tenn.; 3:30-6:30 p.m. CST.
- Grundy County High School; 24970 Highway 108, Coalmont, Tenn.; 3:30-6:30 p.m. CST.
- Marion County Health Department; 7th St. E., Jasper, Tenn.; 3:30-6:30 p.m. CST.
- Athens-McMinn Family YMCA; 205 Knoxville Ave., Athens, Tenn.; 3-6 p.m.
- Piggly Wiggly in Meigs County; 17619 Tenn.-58, Decatur, Tenn.; 10-2 p.m.
- Polk County Health Department; 2279 Parksvsille Road, Benton, Tenn.; 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Polk County Health Department; 840 Cherokee Trail, Ducktown, Tenn.; 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Rhea County Fairgrounds; 290 Harold Robbins Lane, Evensville, Tenn.; 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Sequatchie County Health Department; 16939 Rankin Ave. N., Dunlap, Tenn.; 8:30-10:30 a.m. and 12:30-3:30 p.m. CST
In addition to the "Fight Flu Tenn." event, flu shots are widely available at primary care offices, local pharmacies and with participating community parTenn.ers. To find a flu shot near you, visit vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/.
Contact Elizabeth Fite at efite@timesfreepress.com or follow her on Twitter @ecfite.