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Why Getting a Flu Shot is Especially Important This Year

by News You Can UseNewsworthy

It’s that time of year again! Fall has arrived, and following closely behind, flu season. Have you gotten your annual flu shot yet?

Nearly every person ages 6 months and older needs to be vaccinated against the flu each year. While that’s what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends for every year, getting your annual flu shot is especially important in 2020. But why is that?

Read on as our Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic team answers some commonly asked questions.

Why Do I Need a Flu Shot Every Year?
Before we dive into why flu shots are so important this year, let’s first answer this common question.

Many people wonder why the flu shot isn’t like many childhood vaccines, where you get one shot—or maybe a shot followed by a booster shot some time later—and are all set.

It’s because the flu vaccine works differently. Each year, different strains of the flu (also known as influenza) spread around, causing illness. Because of that, the flu vaccine is reformulated each year to protect against the strains of the flu thought to be most common that flu season.

The flu vaccine typically provides protection against two strains of influenza A and two strains of influenza B.

While you can still get the flu after getting a flu shot, it’s less likely. In addition, even if you do get the flu after being vaccinated, your version of the flu will be shorter in duration and less severe.

What Makes the Flu Shot Important This Year?
Knowing that you should be vaccinated every year, why is a flu shot even more important in 2020? It’s because of the unique circumstances we find ourselves in currently.

This year, the flu season—which begins around November and continues through March or April—will overlap with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Consider this: In the 2018–2019 flu season, more than 35 million Americans got the flu, 16.5 million went to the doctor because of the flu, 49,000 people were hospitalized, and more than 34,000 died.

With COVID-19 already stressing out the American healthcare system, if patients start flooding into doctors’ offices and hospitals with the flu, it could cause chaos.

Getting your family vaccinated against the flu can reduce the likelihood that you will need to be hospitalized due to the illness, cutting down on the risk of what experts are calling a “twindemic.”

When Should I Get My Flu Shot?
Experts recommend getting your annual flu shot each year by the end of October. This allows your body enough time to build up antibodies against the flu after receiving the vaccination, a process that takes around two weeks.

If you aren’t able to get your flu shot by then, it’s OK. Getting a flu shot after that time will still provide you with some protection for the rest of the flu season.

What Else Can I Do to Prevent the Flu?
Many of the same habits we’ve been practicing since early this year to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are also helpful in reducing your risk of the flu:

● Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds at a time.
● Use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water aren’t
accessible.
● Disinfect commonly touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs and your phone,
often.
● Wear a mask when in public and unable to keep six feet between yourself and others.
● Avoid crowds and large gatherings.
● Don’t touch your face with unwashed hands.

Need a flu shot? Stay tuned to our Facebook page for the latest information about when the flu vaccine will be available, or call (865) 774-7684.

Janice

New Horizons Class find new ways to help during COVID-19 Crisis

by EventsFriends of Mountain HopeNews You Can UseNewsworthyVolunteers

It has become a tradition for the New Horizons Discussion Class from First Baptist Church of Sevierville to visit Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic on occasion to bless patients by paying the nominal fee often regularly charged for their visits. In addition, the Class provides lunch for the staff and offers a gift bag containing toiletries, candy, and a Gideon New Testament among other items to patients who’d like to take one home.

This year, the project looked a little different, largely due to the concerns surrounding the COVID-19 Crisis. In addition to the lunch for staff, gift bags were given to the Clinic to distribute and fees were paid in advance to Mountain Hope to make the process as efficient and touch-free as possible.  Patients were informed at the time of service that their fees had been covered.

Janice Bettis represented the Class on Tuesday as they sought to bless members of the Sevier County community, “The class was scheduled to be at the clinic on April 7th and when the ‘stay at home’ order came into effect; we quickly realized that we would not be able to do this.  Class members receive such a blessing from being able to give the money and gift bags to the patients as they check out.  We are aware that the people we have been able to serve at the Clinic are some of the hardest hit because businesses are closed and they have not been able to work and subsequently pay their bills.  We contacted Deb Murph to ask if we could bring the money and the items to the Clinic for her staff to distribute for us.  She graciously agreed.  We pray that this small gesture will be an encouragement and hope to these people.  Thank you Mountain Hope for allowing us to be a part of what you do,” she said.

Mountain Hope is grateful for the support of community members like these. If you would like more information on volunteering for or donating to Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic, please contact Ashley Burnette at aburnette@mountainhope.org or via cell at 865.771.9114.

Jars-and-Jams-for-MHGSC

Ole Smoky’s Jars & Jams Virtual Concert for Mountain Hope

by EventsFriends of Mountain HopeFundraisersNews You Can UseUpcoming Events

Ole Smoky Distillery continues a longstanding tradition of great live entertainment with this week’s Jars & Jams Virtual Concert Series event to benefit Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic, a medical and dental clinic serving the uninsured. We invite you to join us for family-friendly rock-alternative bluegrass music with Monroeville from the comfort of your home. The concert will take place Friday, April 24 at 8:00 p.m. EST on the Ole Smoky Distillery Facebook page.

A Message from our Executive Director:

by News You Can Use

We wish to assure patients and our community that we continue to provide healthcare to the uninsured of Sevier County during the COVID-19 situation. We are following the guidance of the Tennessee Department of Health, CDC, and our local Sevier County Health Department to prevent and address COVID-19. We have made necessary changes to our normal operations to protect staff and patients. While our parking lot appears to have fewer cars and the doors are locked for patient safety, we are here. We now offer telehealth visit options to allow patients to follow the “Safer at Home” order. Our providers will provide your care over the phone or with a live video. If you have an upcoming appointment, our staff will call to discuss the best telehealth option for you. If the provider decides you have medical needs requiring you to be seen at the Clinic, please call from your car when you arrive for visit instructions. We have fewer staff at the Clinic and our call volume has increased so we ask for your patience when trying to reach us. 

We understand the challenges of affordable care for those who are suddenly without jobs and insurance; we are here for you. We are opening up appointment availability to ensure we care for the urgent needs of existing and new patients. The weeks ahead may continue to be stressful and you may find yourself in need of emotional support; please allow us to help. Our team of servant hearts welcome the opportunity to care for you. Our prayers are for healing and strength for endurance as we manage this challenge together. 

-Deborah Murph, Executive Director, Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic