State health officials say it is not too late to get vaccinated against the flu in the new year. Governor Phil Bredesen has declared January 10-16 National Influenza Vaccination Week in Tennessee. This national health observance highlights the importance of flu vaccinations and continuing steps to stay healthy during the peak cold and flu season of January and beyond.According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 60 million people in the United States have already received their dose of an estimated 108 million total available doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine. To date, Tennessee has distributed more than 2.4 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine to health providers across the state. This unprecedented turnout of people who have received flu vaccinations has helped to lessen the impact of the H1N1 flu pandemic.
Tennessee and other states across the country have seen declining numbers in hospital visits and cases of the flu virus over recent weeks. Health departments continue to offer the vaccine to anyone who wishes to receive it.
The Cannon County Health Department plans to conduct free H1N1 clinics in Cannon County Schools for students and staff members. Consent forms will be distributed to students on Thursday, January 14th or Friday, January 15th. Students wishing to participate are asked to return their consent form to the student’s school by Tuesday, January 19th. Additional consent forms may be obtained at Cannon County Schools’ Central Office located at 301 West Main Street, Woodbury, Tennessee.
While these clinics are for students and staff members only, the Cannon County Health Department continues to urge the general public to visit their local health department for vaccination.
