Dr. Eugene Ryan Urges Tennesseans to Get Their Seasonal Vaccinations

Each autumn, millions of Tennesseans take a simple but important step to protect themselves from the back-to-school period through the winter: they get seasonal vaccines.

For many people, a regular wellness appointment with a primary care provider is a good time to talk about and receive those vaccinations. But when seeing a doctor is not easy or practical, a nearby pharmacy is a dependable and convenient alternative. A local pharmacist can provide vaccines, including the flu shot, on the spot, without the need for an individual prescription.

That accessibility matters because obstacles to care have real effects. When an older adult on a fixed income or a parent juggling two jobs cannot secure a medical appointment, the neighborhood pharmacy may be the difference between getting vaccinated and going without. Every missed vaccine leaves room for a preventable illness.

Nationwide, 93% of Americans live within five miles of a pharmacy. In Tennessee, that access is especially important in places where healthcare is harder to reach. Of the state’s 95 counties, a large majority face primary care shortages, and many do not have a hospital at all. For people who do have a primary care doctor, that relationship remains an important part of staying healthy and keeping up with preventive care. In many rural communities, however, the local pharmacy may be the most accessible healthcare option available. Having started his career as a pharmacist in an independent pharmacy, the author knows firsthand how important pharmacists are in their communities. They are often the most accessible health professionals available to offer medication guidance, counsel patients, and administer needed vaccines.

When Tennesseans get their seasonal shots, they also help protect older family members and neighbors whose health could be seriously harmed by a severe illness.

As fall approaches, it is wise not to wait for respiratory virus season to reach its peak. Whether you get vaccinated during a wellness visit with your primary care provider or stop by your local pharmacy, speak with a health professional about which vaccines are appropriate for your family and available now. Tennessee has made efforts to keep seasonal vaccines within reach, and residents should take advantage of that opportunity to stay healthy.