Be a Healthy InFLUence. Get Your SHOT Today.

The first and most important step to preventing influenza is getting your flu shot every year. This year, with COVID-19 cases on the rise, it is more important than ever.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the percentage of weekly positive COVID-19 cases has risen to 12%, which is the highest rate in over a year. The severity of flu seasons varies, but the CDC estimates that between 3% and 11% of the U.S. population develops flu symptoms each year.

While uncommon, it is possible to simultaneously contract flu and COVID-19, which can lead to more severe symptoms, complications and longer infection times. Severe cases can result in hospitalization and even death. Protecting yourself against flu can minimize the chance of contracting both viruses at the same time.

The best way to reduce the risk of contracting seasonal flu is to get a flu shot every year. The CDC recommends yearly flu immunizations for people ages six months and older, especially those who are more likely to develop medical problems from the illness. 

Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, visits to doctors’ offices and missed work and school due to flu, as well as make symptoms less severe and reduce flu-related hospitalizations and deaths. Getting vaccinated also helps protect others who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, such as infants, adults age 65 and older, pregnant people and people with chronic health conditions.

As a convenience to our patients, Hattiesburg Clinic offers flu shots Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., on the first floor of the main clinic, located at 415 S. 28th Ave., in Hattiesburg. Flu shots are available to the general public at this location throughout the 2023-24 flu season for those five years of age and older. 

To learn more about flu, visit www.hattiesburgclinic.com/flu or talk to your primary care physician.

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About Hattiesburg Clinic:

Hattiesburg Clinic is Mississippi’s largest privately-owned, multispecialty clinic.  More than 60 years after its beginning, the clinic has grown to over 450 physicians and providers, caring for patients in more than 17 counties in South Mississippi.  Along with over 2,500 professional staff employees, these physicians and providers come together for a common purpose, to serve the over 500,000 community members who live and work in South Mississippi every day.