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Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, Health Commissioner urge everyone to get their Flu Shot

Tennessee Department of Health - TDOHMemphis, TN – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, rolled up their sleeves in Memphis for their annual vaccinations against influenza and encouraged fellow Tennesseans to do the same to help protect and promote good health in the state.

Receiving an annual flu shot can make a big difference by helping you and others avoid becoming sick.

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“We encourage all Tennesseans to get a flu shot because it’s the right thing to do,” Haslam said. “It not only protects the individual’s health but also the health of friends, family and coworkers.”

“All of us are vulnerable to serious and life-threatening infections from the flu and a simple vaccination is the best protection,” said Dreyzehner. “This is why it’s so vital to protect people around us from getting the flu by getting the flu shot ourselves.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Tennessee Department of Health recommend annual flu vaccination for everyone over the age of six months. It’s especially important for pregnant women to be vaccinated in order to protect their unborn children.

One major challenge for health officials is combating rumors and myths about flu immunizations. It is important to note:  It is not possible for the flu shot to give you the flu.

You can choose from the nasal mist and the traditional flu shot. Check with your healthcare provider to see which option is best for you or your child.

“It was our pleasure to host Governor Haslam, Commissioner Dreyzehner, Shelby County Mayor Mark H. Luttrell, Jr. and many others as they received their annual influenza vaccine,” said Yvonne Madlock, director of the Shelby County Health Department. “We are also proud our state leaders joined our local leaders here in Shelby County to help us kick off our 2014-15 Flu Shot Campaign. It is important that everyone receive their flu shot to protect themselves and their loved ones from avoidable illness.”

After your flu vaccination, it’s still important to practice good health habits to protect yourself from the flu and other winter viruses, and to prevent spreading them to others if you do get sick.

Good health habits include frequent hand washing with soapy water or use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and covering coughs and sneezes with a sleeve or tissue. People who are sick should stay home if at all possible to recover to prevent spreading illness to coworkers, friends and others.

Flu vaccines are widely available across Tennessee from a number of sources and take only a few minutes to receive. Contact your health care provider about flu vaccine locations near you, or visit the Vaccine Finder available at http://flushot.healthmap.org/.

About the Tennessee Department of Health

The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. TDH has facilities in all 95 counties and provides direct services for more than one in five Tennesseans annually as well as indirect services for everyone in the state, including emergency response to health threats, licensure of health professionals, regulation of health care facilities and inspection of food service establishments.

Learn more about TDH services and programs at http://health.state.tn.us/.

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