SOUTHAVEN, Miss. — It’s one nasty bug that puts around 200,000 people in the hospital every year.
Area hospitals are trying to help you avoid getting the flu with several free flu clinics.
Tuesday, Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto and Walgreens were at the Hartland Hands Food Pantry in Southaven to give free flu shots to those who can’t afford them.
They’ll be at the food pantry every Tuesday and Thursday over the next month.
Doctors are also hoping to dispel myths about the shot.
“I think that is the number one myth is that I’m going to get the flu as a result of the immunization, but the shot does not have live flu in it so there is no way it can make you sick,” said Dr. Joann Wood, Chief Medical Officer for Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto.
Jason Tomblin has avoided the flu shot, but was convinced the vaccine was exactly what he needed this year to stay healthy.
“I feel a little better about it. I feel more confident it isn’t going to make me sick and being a little inactive lately I could sure use a flu shot from what I’ve heard today,” said Tomblin.
If you still need a flu shot, Baptist Memorial Health Care will host a free flu shot event for the community on Monday, October 27, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville (1500 West Poplar) in the private dining room.
Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto, located at 7601 Southcrest Parkway in Southaven, Miss., will distribute vaccines between 4 and 6 p.m. at the north entrance of the hospital.
The free flu clinics are open to everyone in the community.