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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.

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First Horizon Foundation Grants Funds to Clinic

by Friends of Mountain HopeNewsworthy

Sevierville, TN | June, 2019

Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic is pleased to announce that it has received a $2,500 grant from the First Horizon Foundation. The grant will enable Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic to cover the deficit of costs for medical care for 57 patient visits during the month of June.

“Mountain Hope is so very grateful for the partnership and support of the First Horizon Foundation,” said Director of Development Ashley Burnette, “Our patients depend on the kindness of individuals and organizations who make their healthcare a priority, and First Horizon’s gift to those who depend on Mountain Hope Clinic as their medical home is very, very precious in these tentative times.”

About Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic

Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic is a healing ministry providing much needed primary medical care and emergency dental services to the citizens and workers of Sevier County, Tennessee, which centers on a tourism-driven economy. Established in 1999, the Mission of Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic is to provide quality healthcare for the medically uninsured. Counting more than 27,000 patients of record, Mountain Hope is guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ and values all human life, compassionate and professional healthcare, community partnerships, and financial integrity.

About the First Horizon Foundation

Founded in 1993, the First Horizon Foundation is the private charitable foundation of First Horizon National Corp. (NYSE:FHN), the parent company of the First Tennessee Bank National Association (operating as Capital Bank and First Tennessee). Since its inception, the Foundation has donated more than $90 million to meet community needs. The Foundation has been honored for leadership in philanthropy and community involvement, and recognized by the American Bankers Association for its outstanding work in the community.

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.