Governor Bill Haslam, Commissioner Dreyzehner to Receive Annual Flu Vaccinations
NASHVILLE – Governor Bill Haslam and Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, are encouraging Tennesseans to get their influenza vaccinations this flu season. Governor Haslam and Commissioner Dreyzehner will receive their seasonal flu vaccinations at the TDH Northeast Regional Health Office in Johnson City Monday, October 19.
Flu seasons vary widely from year to year and can be severe. Each year in the United States, an estimated 5-20 percent of the population can be infected with the flu and more than 200,000 people may be hospitalized from complications of the illness. Vaccination is the best way to prevent infection with the flu.
Immunization against the flu protects not only the person receiving the vaccine but also his or her family, friends and coworkers. Flu vaccine can be administered in the form of an injection (the “flu shot”) or nasal spray, and is widely available throughout Tennessee from county health departments, primary care providers and pharmacies. The Tennessee Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urge annual flu vaccination for everyone over six months of age.
Who: Governor Bill Haslam
John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Health
Rebekah English, Northeast Regional Health Director, TDH
David Kirschke, MD, Northeast Regional Medical Director, TDH
Stephen May, MD, Sullivan County Regional Health Department Medical Director
Sen. Rusty Crowe, District 3
Richard Venable, Sullivan County Mayor
What: Governor Bill Haslam and Commissioner Dreyzehner receive seasonal flu vaccinations
When: Monday, October 19, 3 p.m. Eastern time
Where: Northeast Tennessee Regional Health Office
185 Treasure Lane
Johnson City, Tenn. 37604
MEDIA NOTE: Please plan to arrive early to be in place prior to 2:30 p.m. Eastern time.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Bill Christian, 615-483-0862 or Bill.Christian@tn.gov, or Christen Minnick, 423-979-4635 or Christen.Minnick@tn.gov
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