Tennessee Department of Health reports No Disruption to COVID-19 Vaccines For Children Program

Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) assures families across Tennessee that information and access to vaccinations for children through state health departments continues and there has been no disruption to these services. 

While misinformation has been circulated regarding the status of these resources, parents who need information regarding routine childhood immunizations can find resources here. Parents seeking the COVID-19 Coronavirus vaccine for children 12+ can find additional information here.

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Tennessee Governor Bill Lee Unveils Safe Reopening Plan for Schools

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced today the State of Tennessee’s recommendations to reopen schools for the 2020-2021 school year.

“Providing parents a choice in their children’s education is incredibly important,” said Governor Lee.

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Local Health Departments Encourage Tennesseans to Continue Essential Health Services

Nashville, TN – Tennessee’s rural county health departments continue providing traditional services and are taking every precaution to keep patients, clients and staff members safe from COVID-19 Coronavirus.

In addition to routine services, Tennessee Department of Health county health departments offer COVID-19 Coronavirus testing at no charge for anyone who wishes to be tested. 

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Tennessee Department of Health reminds parents now is the time to get back-to-school immunizations

Keeping your child’s vaccinations up to date helps keep schools Safe

Nashville, TN – Frequent news reports about whooping cough and measles, diseases long thought vanquished by vaccines in the US, serve as a reminder of the importance of getting back-to-school immunizations for your child now.

In Tennessee, children enrolling in school for the first time and all children going into seventh grade must provide schools with a state immunization certificate before classes start as proof they have had all the immunizations necessary to protect them and their classmates from serious vaccine-preventable diseases. [Read more]

Tennessee Department of Health urges Parents to think now about School Immunizations

Nashville, TN – Many students across Tennessee are enjoying their summer break. But it won’t be long before the bell rings for the new school year, and it’s never too early to think about school immunizations. Tennessee students are required to have a number of immunizations for school attendance.

“Getting vaccinated is so important to help protect all of us from infectious diseases,” said Kelly Moore, MD, MPH, director of the Tennessee Immunization Program. “Making sure your children have their required vaccinations is a good way to help ensure students won’t be out of the classroom due to a preventable illness.”

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2KP8tb4PjM[/youtube] [Read more]

Tennessee Department of Health investigating Measles Cases in Tennessee

Vaccinations Urged to Prevent Future Cases

Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Health is now investigating five cases of measles in Madison, Shelby, Gibson, Hamilton and Hardeman counties.

People in additional counties may have been exposed to measles due to some patients traveling while unknowingly being contagious.

The measles cases in Tennessee appear to have started with one traveler who was exposed to the illness in another country. [Read more]

National Immunization Awareness Month

Washington, D.C. – National Immunization Awareness Month is the perfect time to promote immunizations and remind family, friends, and coworkers to get caught up on their shots.

Immunizations (or vaccinations) aren’t just for babies and young kids. We all need shots to help protect us from serious diseases and illness. Everyone age 6 months and older needs a seasonal flu shot every year. Here are some other shots people need at different ages: [Read more]

Tennessee Department of Health tells Parents it’s time for Back-To-School Immunizations and Checkups

Nashville, TN – Parents working on checklists to get their children ready for the start of school have an important health item to include: required immunizations.

In Tennessee, children enrolling in school for the first time and all children going into 7th grade must provide schools with a state immunization certificate before classes start as proof they have had immunizations necessary to protect them and their classmates from serious vaccine-preventable diseases. [Read more]

Infant Mortality declining in Tennessee

September is Infant Mortality Awareness Month

Nashville, TN – State public health officials are encouraged by recent statistics indicating a decline in infant mortality rates in Tennessee and acknowledge there is still much work to be done. Infant mortality is defined as the death of a child before his or her first birthday. During National Infant Mortality Awareness Month this September, residents of the state should learn what they can do to support mothers of newborns and help babies reach this critical milestone.

“We are definitely making progress as a state,” said Michael Warren, MD, TDOH’s director of Maternal and Child Health. “There were 63 fewer infant deaths in 2009 as compared to 2005. That equates to three additional classrooms of kindergarteners who will have the chance to grow into healthy, productive Tennesseans.” [Read more]