News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Health Departments across the state will begin offering free flu vaccines Wednesday as part of a statewide initiative to “Fight Flu ’22.”
Overton County Nursing Supervisor Megan Reeder said they hope it serves as an incentive for more people to get their shots.
“We know that time and often insurance or money can be a barrier for people getting the flu vaccine,” Reeder said. “So we would like to take some of those barriers away and offer the flu shot free starting Wednesday, November 9th. And that’s part of that statewide initiative where we’re pushing to get as many flu shots as we can.”
Reeder said thus far they’ve seen a large elderly population stop by and get their shots. She said right now, they’re hoping to increase the number of younger folks to get their shots.
Reeder said Overton County Health Department has already had a higher number of flu cases than in previous years. She said because they expect the flu season to be even worse, it makes getting a flu shot all the more important.
“We know down in the southern hemisphere they’ve already experienced a bad flu season and that’s what we look at to predict for our flu season,” Reeder said. “And we’re already noticing at the health department a significant increase in patients with both flu A and B.”
Reeder said you can get your flu shot at the Overton County Health Department located at 5880 Bradford Hicks Drive. She said no appointment is necessary, and staff will be giving out flu shots all day during business hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
