Ballad Health Pharmacy locations to offer flu shot clinics

With flu season right around the corner, Ballad Health Pharmacy will be offering flu vaccination clinics at two locations on Saturday, Oct. 19.

The clinics will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ballad Health Pharmacy locations in Johnson City, at 523 N. State of Franklin Road, and in Kingsport at 1657 E. Stone Drive, Suite A. Appointments are not required.

“As we do all we can to help the Appalachian Highlands recover from Hurricane Helene, we’re also taking measures to safeguard our communities’ health, and curbing the spread of the flu is crucial to that,” said Jamie Swift, Ballad Health’s chief infection prevention officer. “Each year, influenza causes hospitalizations and deaths around the world, including here in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Flu shots are the best way to prevent the flu, and with that, prevent more local tragedies and loss.”

The vaccinations are free of charge for Ballad Health team members and their covered family members, as well as people with most commercial, Medicare and Medicaid insurance plans.

Flu is a contagious respiratory disease that can lead to serious illness, hospitalization or even death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone six months and older get an annual flu vaccine.

According to the CDC, there are several reasons to have a flu shot:

• Flu vaccination prevents illnesses, medical visits, hospitalizations and deaths.
• Flu vaccination is an important preventive tool for people with chronic health conditions.
• Vaccinating pregnant women has been shown to help protect newborns from flu for several months after birth, before the baby can be vaccinated.
• Flu vaccine can be life saving in children.
• While some people who get vaccinated still become ill, flu vaccination has been shown to reduce the severity of the illness.

“Flu can cause, at a minimum, several days of feeling ill, missing work and school, or it can result in serious complications such as pneumonia,” Swift said. “Getting a flu shot now, before the flu season picks up pace later this fall and winter, prevents that and also keeps our communities healthier – and stronger – as a whole.”

Ballad Health offers a network of convenient pharmacy locations throughout the Appalachian Highlands, providing services such as:

• Breast pumps and accessories
• Durable medical equipment
• Infusion care
• Lab services
• Online prescription management
• Wound care

“Community pharmacists contribute to patient well-being through administration of vaccines, test-to-treat programs and delivery of medication therapy management services,” said Trish Tanner, Ballad Health chief pharmacy officer. “Pharmacists are prepared to uphold the highest standards of care to ensure safe and effective therapies to treat and prevent disease.”