Hamilton County Health Dept. hosts Fight Flu TN event in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As the temperatures drop, sicknesses rise. Doctors say flu season is here. 

The Hamilton County Health Department held its annual Fight Flu TN event at La Paz Wednesday morning. 

“This is our fight flu event for the state of Tennessee. It is a one-day event that the state actually gives us vaccines to use so that we can do it for free,” said Sharon Goforth, Registered Nurse and Special Projects Manager for the health department. “It is for anyone who shows up at our offsite locations.” 

The health department holds these events every year around flu season. 

The CDC says seasonal influenza activity remains low nationally. 

“The vaccines have been used for years and years and years. It is very safe. The only time that it becomes an issue is if somebody has an allergy to one of the components of a vaccine,” said Goforth. “That is why we have the nurses on hand to ask them certain questions to make sure they are not allergic to anything that might actually be used in that vaccine.” 

Doctors say the vaccine can help protect against the flu. 

And the health department suggests those who are high risk get their shots soon.

“The CDC recommends anyone six months or older to receive the flu vaccine, wherever they can get it. Even though it is a one-day event, if you show up, you are not allergic to anything in the vaccine, you are getting this for free, automatically,” Goforth concluded.