On Monday (9.23.19), the Shelby County Health Department (SCHD) will begin offering influenza vaccine at the Immunization Clinic at 814 Jefferson and at all six public health clinics located around the County, according to Joan Carr, SCHD public information officer.
The flu vaccine will be available at all SCHD clinics listed below between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at most locations. Note: the Collierville clinic is only open on Tuesdays and Thursdays. No appointment is necessary at any of these public health clinics.
Cawthon Public Health Clinic
1000 Haynes, 38114
Collierville Public Health Clinic (Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
167 Washington St., 38017
Hickory Hill Public Health Clinic
6590 Kirby Center Cove, 38118
Immunization Clinic
814 Jefferson, Rm. 216, 38105
Millington Public Health Clinic
8225 Highway 51 North, 38053
Shelby Crossing Public Health Clinic
6170 Macon Road, 38133
Southland Mall Public Health Clinic
1287 Southland Mall, 38116
Ms. Carr said, “We do ask people with insurance, whether private insurance, TennCare or Medicare to bring their insurance card with them. The vaccine is covered 100%, so it’s no cost to the patient. For those without insurance, the Health Department charges on a sliding fee scale based on income.”
Influenza can cause serious illness and even death among persons who are otherwise healthy. Each year, tens of thousands of deaths are attributed to influenza. There were an estimated 80,000 deaths in the United States last flu season, and 160 deaths due to flu in Tennessee during the 2018-2019 flu season.
Vaccination against the influenza virus is recommended for anyone over the age of 6 months. Everyone is at risk, especially during influenza season, which usually runs from October to May each year, with the most cases in our region usually reported in February.
Certain groups of people are especially vulnerable to influenza and are strongly advised to get the vaccine:
- Children younger than 5 years of age –especially those younger than 2 years old– are at high risk of serious flu-related complications. The flu vaccine can protect them from the flu virus and prevent them from spreading it to others.
- Women who are currently pregnant or plan to become pregnant during the flu season are at increased risk of flu complications and should get the vaccine.
- Caregivers of children age 5 and younger and household contacts and caregivers of adults with medical conditions that put them at increased risk.
- The flu vaccine is especially recommended for people with certain health conditions including:
- Chronic lung diseases, including asthma
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Immunosuppression due to medication or illness
- Obesity
Getting a flu shot also helps protect those in the community who can’t get the vaccination, such as babies under six months of age and people with a severe allergy to the vaccine.
For more information about influenza and the flu vaccine, visit our website: www.shelbytnhealth.com.
