“FightFluTN” hoping to get ahead of the flu
Published 9:42 pm Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders A Carter County Health Department nurse gives the flu vaccine to a resident who took advantage of the free flu vaccinations at the Workforce Development vaccination tent.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Carter County Health Department RN/Assistant Nurse Supervisor Tammy Putnam gives Oni Paul of Bluff City her flu vaccination during Tuesday's event.
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BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR STAFF
ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com
Health departments across the state including Carter County want to get flu vaccines into the arms of state residents as part of “FightFluTN”.
On Tuesday, the health departments offered flu shots at no charge to all Tennesseans beginning at age six months.
“We are trying to knock out as much as we can all in one day to vaccinate the whole state of Tennessee,” said Shana Johnson, a health educator with the Carter County Health Department. “The whole state is doing a “FightFlu” event today.
“Every county has a pod up and open. It’s still the same set up as our other vaccines we have provided. It is no insurance, no cost – you just drive up and get your vaccine.”
The event was scheduled from 2 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and within the first 30 minutes more than 50 vaccinations had been distributed. “We are hoping to make a healthier Tennessee by vaccinating as many as possible,” Johnson said.
Carter County Health Department executive director Carolyn Hurt was hoping to see parents bring their children by the tent event once school was released for the day.
“At one time, we used to go into the schools and give flu vaccinations to the children,” Hurt said. “We haven’t been able to do that lately and we are hoping that after school is out today that parents will bring their children by to get the free vaccination.”
According to Johnson, a harsher flu season is predicted this year so the whole purpose of the “FIghtFluTN” effort was to get as much vaccine in the population ahead of time in a way of heading flu off and preventing regressing like the state experienced previously.
The flu vaccine is highly recommended for the immunocompromised as well as those over the age of 65.
Johnson wanted residents to know that if they didn’t make it out for the event Tuesday, the Carter County Health Department will be giving free flu vaccinations Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
No appointment is required.
“We were just trying to make it easier today with a drive up event so our older folks don’t have to get out of the car,” commented Johnson.
