Hamilton County health officials urge families to update vaccines ahead of flu season

Hamilton County health officials urge families to update vaccines ahead of flu season

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. — As flu season approaches, the Hamilton County Health Department is renewing its warning for families to make sure they are protected with the most current vaccinations.

Health officials say respiratory illnesses spread more easily in the fall and winter months.

Without protection, they warn that infants, young children and older adults could be at greater risk.

Officials also say illness can have a wider effect on a child’s school attendance and learning.

For parents trying to sort through conflicting information on social media and the internet, local pediatricians and health advocates say a good place to start is with a child’s doctor.

Mother Dee Fairfax says she relies on her son’s pediatrician when making decisions about vaccines.

“I really do trust her, and so because I'm not I'm not a I'm not a I'm not an expert, and even if I do research, because there's so much information on both sides,” Fairfax says.

That trust became more important for Fairfax as she began hearing different messages about vaccines from social media, friends, family and the news.

Chattanooga-area...