Middleton and Hardeman County residents can get free flu shots on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, when the Tennessee Department of Health holds its annual Fight Flu TN event at local health departments statewide, including the Hardeman County Health Department in Bolivar.
The one-day clinic is open to anyone six months of age or older who is eligible for the vaccine. State health officials say more than 200 locations across Tennessee, including every local health department plus partner sites, will take part.
Where to Get Free Flu Shots in Hardeman County
The Hardeman County Health Department is listed at 10825 Old Highway 64 in Bolivar, and its phone number is (731) 658-5291. Hours for the Oct. 20 event can vary by location, so residents should call ahead or check the state’s Fight Flu TN event map before heading out.
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026
Who: Eligible Tennesseans ages 6 months and older
Cost: Free
Local site: Hardeman County Health Department, 10825 Old Hwy. 64, Bolivar
Find other sites: Enter your address on the Fight Flu TN location map on the TDH website
Why Health Officials Urge a Flu Shot Now
“Getting a flu shot is the best thing you can do to reduce the risk of getting the flu and having severe disease,” State Health Commissioner Dr. John Dunn said in the department’s announcement. He added that getting vaccinated can also help keep others from getting sick.
TDH points to national estimates that flu vaccination prevented about 10 million illnesses, 5 million medical visits, 180,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 deaths during the 2024-2025 flu season.
Health officials say pregnant women, infants, older adults and people with chronic medical conditions face the highest risk of serious flu complications. Common symptoms include cough, fatigue, fever, headache, muscle aches, sore throat and a stuffy or runny nose.
Simple Steps to Stop the Spread
Along with vaccination, the department recommends a few everyday habits during flu season:
Wash hands often with soap and water.
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the bend of your elbow.
Stay home when you are sick.
Fight Flu TN is now in its ninth year. Besides offering free vaccine, the event lets local health departments practice delivering services to large numbers of people in a single day, a skill they would rely on during a public health emergency.
For Mississippi Neighbors
The free Oct. 20 clinic is a Tennessee Department of Health program for Tennesseans. Residents of Tippah and Benton counties in Mississippi should check with their own health care provider, pharmacy or county health department about flu vaccine options this fall.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
