HEALTH

TN reports 8th child death from flu; health departments urge free shots at Friday clinics

Registered Nurse Denise Morris prepares a flu shot to administer to patient Sandra McWilliams at the Knox County Health Department in Knoxville Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018.

Another Tennessee child has died of flu complications, the Tennessee Department of Health reported Thursday.

That brings the statewide total of pediatric deaths associated with flu to eight for the 2017-2018 flu season — three in East Tennessee, five in Middle Tennessee — plus one pregnant woman in Middle Tennessee.

The state does not track adult deaths related to flu, but it and the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention track flu-related deaths of children and pregnant women. Nationally, as of Feb. 16, child deaths totaled at least 84 for this season.

More:When should you go to the ER for flu?

The CDC said last week this flu season shows no signs of abating, with only Oregon and the District of Columbia avoiding "widespread" flu in the continental U.S. In Tennessee, more than a quarter of specimens tested by the state lab have been positive for flu, and 63 of the state's 95 counties have had at least one recent positive case.

The East Tennessee region, the counties around Knox County, and the Tri-Cities area have the highest percentages of influenza-like illness statewide.

More:5 things to do if someone in your house has the flu

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Friday, all county health departments in Tennessee — including Knox County's main location at 140 Dameron Ave. — will have "Flu Shot Friday." The aim is to get people in and out as quickly as possible for free flu shots, so an appointment isn’t needed.

If you can't make it to the main health department on Friday, you can still get a free flu shot 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays at any of the three clinics: main, West (in Cedar Bluff) and Teague (in Powell). If you want to reduce wait time, call 865-215-5070 for an appointment. 

Related:East Tennessee schools see attendance grow after closing to disinfect for flu

"We are having these clinics to emphasize it’s not too late to get vaccinated because we expect a lot more weeks of seasonal flu that we all know has already been intense. Vaccination is still the best protection we have against this serious and deadly illness,” said TDH Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH. “Yes, wash your hands, avoid touching your face, stay home if you are sick but above all get vaccinated. It can help you and those around you stay healthy and if you do get sick, it just might save your life.”

Sale:Get complete digital access to knoxnews.com for a full year for $9.99, through Feb. 23