![\"Tennessee](\"http:\/\/www.clarksvilleonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Tennessee-Department-of-Health.jpg\" "\\"Tennessee")
Jackson, TN<\/strong> – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH rolled up their sleeves and received their annual flu shots today in Jackson. Immunization against the flu is important to the community as it not only protects those receiving the vaccine, but also family, friends and coworkers.<\/p>\n\u201cA flu shot is one of the easiest steps you can take each year to keep yourself healthy during flu season,\u201d Governor Haslam said. \u201cFlu shots are readily available across Tennessee and getting one can protect you and others around you, especially those who may be more susceptible to the flu.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Tennessee](\"http:\/\/www.clarksvilleonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Tennessee-Governor-Bill-Haslam-gets-Flu-Shot-2017.jpg\" "\\"Tennessee")
<\/a>Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam receives his annual influenza vaccination at the Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department in Jackson, Tennessee October 2nd, 2017.<\/p><\/div>\n
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Flu vaccine for the upcoming flu season is available now in many locations across the state, including county health departments, medical clinics and pharmacies.<\/p>\n
The Tennessee Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urge annual flu vaccination for everyone over six months of age. It\u2019s also extremely important for pregnant women to be vaccinated to protect their unborn children.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know getting a flu shot is the best protection we have against the flu,\u201d Dreyzehner said. \u201cEvery year we see severe illness and death caused by flu in Tennessee, so please get a flu shot to protect others around you who are more vulnerable to flu, like babies, pregnant moms and seniors. Healthy people can get very sick too, so you\u2019ll also be protecting yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n
After getting your flu vaccination, it\u2019s still important to practice good health habits to protect yourself from the flu and other 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 to recover and to prevent spreading illness to co-workers, friends and others.<\/p>\n
\u201cFlu activity can begin as early as October and continue until May, so it\u2019s important to be prepared and get your flu shot now,\u2019\u2019 Dreyzehner said. \u2018\u2019A flu shot does not start to work immediately and usually takes about two weeks before it is fully effective in protecting you from the flu.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n