Free flu shots will be given away across Tennessee on Wednesday. The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department will operate a drive-through clinic at the old Bi-Lo, 4825 Dayton Blvd. in Red Bank. Free clinics will also be held in each of the surrounding Southeast TN counties. To find the clinic nearest you, visit the Tennessee Department of Health’s
website, where you can search by address or by map.
“Getting a flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself, your family and others from the flu and help keep our community healthy,” said Connie Buecker, Hamilton County Health Department manager of Communicable Disease Clinics, ”The flu can make you very sick, keep you away from work, school and other activities, put you in the hospital or even take your life.
We urge everyone who has not received a flu shot yet to get one now, and this event is a great time to do it.”
The Red Bank drive-through clinic site will operate on Wednesday from noon-6 p.m. It is free and more than one person can be in a vehicle. American Sign Language and Spanish interpreters will be on site. Participants are asked to wear short-sleeves or loose fitting clothing so they can easily access the upper arm. Tents will cover the drive-up lanes in the event of bad weather. People who are ill that day, especially those with a fever or those whose health care provider advised them not to receive a flu vaccination, should not participate in this clinic. Pets other than service animals should be left at home.
"Seasonal influenza activity is beginning to spread and will continue for months," officials said. "It is important for anyone over six months of age who has not had a flu shot this flu season to get one now. The flu vaccine is especially important for infants, young children, pregnant women, adults over age 50 and those with chronic medical conditions. The flu shot remains the best protection against influenza."
The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department is using its emergency preparedness plans to conduct this flu vaccine clinic. Staff will be demonstrating their readiness and capacity to distribute vaccinations, medications, or other supplies in the event of a large-scale health emergency. Staff will be easily marked with vests and ID badges.
The Health Department would like to recognize the partner agencies assisting with this operation:
• B&B Discount Sales for allowing use of the property;
• Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office for providing public safety and traffic control onsite;
• Chattanooga Fire Department and Hamilton County Hazmat for providing equipment;
• Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security for support; and
• Tennessee Department of Transportation for signage.
For additional information about the Hamilton County drive-through flu vaccination clinic only, call 423-209-8340. For information about clinics outside of Hamilton County, visit the
map link for phone numbers to the respective counties.