Health Dept to offer free flu shots

The Knox County Health Department will begin offering free flue vaccinations to residents beginning Tuesday, Jan. 6, according to a release.

“If you haven’t had a flu vaccine, please get one now,” KCHD Director Dr. Martha Buchanan said in a written statement. “Even though one strain in the vaccine is slightly different from what’s currently circulating, we still recommend vaccination. It will provide protection from the other strains in the vaccine and can reduce the severity and duration of illness if you get sick, even preventing some flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.”

Starting tomorrow, those interested can receive free flu vaccinations at KCHD’s main location, 140 Dameron Ave.; the West Clinic, 1028 Old Cedar Bluff Rd.; and the Teague Clinic, 405 Dante Rd. Offices are open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Free vaccinations, including FluMist and the injectable version, are available while supplies last.

“In addition to vaccination, simple infection control measures can help keep our community, and especially the medically fragile, healthy,” said Buchanan.