NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) says the highest number of influenza cases in Tennessee is typically seen in January and February each year.
Tennessee is currently among the states with the highest levels of flu activity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Every year influenza causes millions of illnesses and many hospitalizations and even deaths in Tennessee and across the U.S. We know getting a flu shot will help save lives and reduce the number of flu-related illnesses and deaths, so we urge everyone who hasn’t been vaccinated this flu season to do the right thing and get a flu shot now,” TDH Commissioner John Dreyzehner said.
Officials say flu vaccinations are especially important for people at high risk for serious illness or death from influenza including babies and young children, the elderly, and pregnant women as well as healthcare workers and family and friends of anyone at high risk.
The number of people hospitalized as a result of the flu varies from year to year. During the 2015-2016 flu season, the CDC estimated 310,000 Americans were hospitalized for flu-related illness.
The number of seasonal flu-related deaths varies from year to year because flu seasons often fluctuate in length and severity.
Young children are among those most at risk for serious illness and death from influenza, as evidenced by reports confirmed by TDH of the first two influenza-related deaths of children reported in Tennessee this year.
Tennessee typically sees four to five deaths among children from flu-related complications each year.
TDH says this year’s flu vaccine is well-matched to the strains of flu that are circulating.
Recent studies reported by TDH show flu vaccine reduces the risk of flu illness by about 50 to 60 percent among the overall population during seasons when most circulating flu viruses are like the vaccine viruses.
Flu vaccination may make your illness milder if you do get sick, and can reduce the risk of flu-associated hospitalization including among children and older adults.
Flu vaccine is currently being offered at no charge to patients at county health departments across the state. To find a county health department near you, visit http://tn.gov/health/topic/localdepartments.
Flu vaccine is also widely available across Tennessee from a number of providers including pharmacies, grocery store clinics and primary care providers.
For information about preventing and treating influenza, visit www.cdc.gov/flu/consumer/index.html.