Key Takeaway:
- 640 free flu shots administered: Nashville’s 2026 Fight Flu Day exceeded last year’s total of 621 doses.
- Vaccination remains accessible: Residents can get free flu shots at Metro Public Health Department clinics throughout the flu season.
- Early vaccination is encouraged: Health officials urge everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated to reduce flu risks and severe illness.
Nashville’s Metro Public Health Department administered 640 flu vaccine doses during its annual Fight Flu Day on Oct. 20, expanding seasonal protection through free vaccinations and continued clinic access.
Nashville vaccination drive exceeds last year’s total
The Metro Public Health Department administered the vaccines at two locations during the annual event, according to results released Oct. 21. The total exceeded the 621 doses administered across three locations during the 2025 campaign.
This year’s total included 81 high-dose flu vaccine doses, which are recommended for people 65 and older and certain people with underlying health conditions. The department encourages everyone 6 months and older to consider getting a seasonal flu vaccine.
The annual event is part of a broader effort to improve access to influenza vaccination before the virus circulates widely. The department offered the shots without charge and said residents can continue receiving free flu vaccines at its clinics throughout the remainder of the flu season.
Before the event, Dr. Sanmi Areola, director of health at the Metro Public Health Department, said local flu activity remained relatively low but could increase as the season progressed.
“Getting your flu shot now, before the flu is widely circulating, is a great way to help protect yourself and your family,” Areola said in an Oct. 13 announcement.
Health officials encourage early flu protection
The Nashville campaign coincided with Tennessee’s statewide Fight Flu initiative, which offered free flu vaccines at more than 200 locations on Oct. 20. Local health departments and participating partners provided the vaccinations to eligible residents ages 6 months and older.
Dr. John Dunn, Tennessee’s health commissioner, urged residents to get vaccinated to reduce their risk of influenza and severe illness.
“Getting a flu shot is the best thing you can do to reduce the risk of getting the flu and having severe disease,” Dunn said in a Sept. 23 announcement from the Tennessee Department of Health.
Flu can cause symptoms ranging from fever, cough, fatigue and muscle aches to severe complications requiring hospitalization. Older adults, young children, pregnant people and those with certain chronic health conditions face a higher risk of serious illness.
The 2026-27 seasonal vaccine is formulated to protect against three influenza strains. Health officials recommend vaccination as one way to reduce the risk of infection and severe outcomes, although protection varies by season and individual circumstances.
Residents can get free shots at local clinics
People who missed Fight Flu Day can schedule vaccinations at three Metro Public Health Department locations: East Nashville Public Health Center, Lentz Public Health Center, and Woodbine Public Health Center. Regular and high-dose vaccines are available at all three clinics.
Appointments are available Monday through Friday. Residents can call East Nashville at 615-862-7916, Lentz at 615-340-5607, or Woodbine at 615-862-7940 to arrange a visit.
The department also offers flu vaccinations through its Mobile Outreach Clinical Services unit. Residents can find additional information about mobile services and community events on the department’s official website.
The department accepts TennCare and Medicare Part B, which cover eligible flu vaccination fees. Its announcement also confirms that flu shots will remain free at its clinics for the rest of the season, making vaccination available beyond the annual drive.
