Annual vaccination against influenza is recommended for everyone, including school-aged children, who want to reduce the risk of becoming ill with influenza or of transmitting influenza to others. No shortage of vaccine is expected this year.

The vaccine is especially recommended for the following persons who are at increased risk for severe complications associated with the flu:

• Pregnant women
• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with chronic medical conditions, including asthma and other lung diseases, heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes.
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including
  • Health care workers
  • Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
  • Household contacts and caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

The flu vaccine is not recommended for some groups of people, including:

Vaccine will be available tomorrow, August 28, in all the Health Department's Public Health Clinics.  The vaccine is free for those covered by Medicare or TennCare and $25 for all others. No appointment is necessary:

• Immunization Clinic, 814 Jefferson Avenue, 38105
  Clinic Hours: 8 am -4 pm, Monday -Friday                                                      Phone: 901.544.7711

•  Galloway Clinic, 477 N. Manassas, 38105
  Clinic Hours: 8 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday                                               Phone: 901.522.8268

• Hickory Hill Clinic, 6590 Kirby Center Cove, 38115
  Clinic Hours 7:30 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday
  Additional Hours: 2^nd & 4^th Saturdays from 8 am - 1 p.m.                                Phone: 901.365.1045

• Millington Clinic, 8225 Highway 51 N, 38053
  Clinic Hours: 8 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday                                               Phone: 901.873.4433

•  Raleigh Clinic, 3040 Covington Pike, 38128
  Clinic Hours: 7:30 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday
  Additional Hours: 1^st & 3^rd Saturdays from 8 am - 1 p.m.                                 Phone: 901.386.2060

• Shelby Crossing Clinic, 6170 Macon Road, 38134
  Clinic Hours: 7:30 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday                                           Phone: 901.372.7581

• Southland Mall Clinic, 1278 Southland Mall, Shelby Dr/Hwy 51, 38116
  Clinic Hours: 9 am - 5 pm, Monday -Friday.
  Additional Hours: 2^nd & 4^th Saturdays from 9 am - 1 p.m. & 2^nd & 4^th Mondays from 5-6:30 p.m.                                                                                                     Phone: 901.346.0081

Practicing good hygiene is also advised during the cold and flu season. Always:

• Wash hands often with soap and water
• Cover your mouth when you cough and dispose of tissues when you sneeze or blow your nose
•  Stay home from work or school when you are sick

For more information about flu shots, please contact the Health Department's Immunization Program at 901.544-7708 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.