Hamilton County Health Department

09/13/2025

The Hamilton County Health Department is participating in events in downtown Chattanooga this Saturday.
The Safe Kids & Basics Chattanooga Fun Fair Festival
• 10 AM–2 PM at the Chattanooga Green
• Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with activities focused on education, movement, and music for the entire family!
• HD programs: CHANT, CLPPP, IRIS, Maternal Child Health, To***co Prevention, Step ONE, Healthy Living & Wellness, & Live Well Age Well
Unity on the Bridge – Recovery Fest
• 10 AM – 2 PM at Coolidge Park
• A day of celebrating recovery, encouraging those struggling with substance misuse, and providing hope to the entire community.
• HD Programs: Mobile Unit, Overdose Prevention, To***co Prevention & Cessation

09/12/2025

Planning a weekend of tailgating and football? Check out the video below to learn more about practicing proper food safety techniques!

Fall means tailgates, picnics, and backyard cookouts. Make sure the food you serve is safe to eat with these tips from the Hamilton County Health Department.

09/10/2025

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
September 10, 2025

Health Department to Begin Offering Flu Vaccines and Provide Guidance Ahead of the 2025 – 2026 Flu Season.

HAMILTON COUNTY, TN – Beginning September 10th, the Hamilton County Health Department will begin offering flu vaccinations at all Health Department locations; no appointment is necessary. The flu vaccine is recommended for anyone six months and older and is also available through most primary care providers and local pharmacies.

Per the CDC, the flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. Anyone can get the flu (including healthy people), but some people are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications. People at an increased risk include adults 65 years and older, children younger than 2 years old, people with asthma, pregnant women, and those with preexisting medical conditions or a compromised immune system.

There are actions you can take to protect yourself and others from flu and help stop the spread of germs, which include:
• Wash your hands often
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Stay home when you are sick
• Get the flu vaccine each year
These practical steps can help prevent the flu or reduce the chances of developing severe illness from the virus.

“With the flu season upon us, we highly encourage everyone to consider getting the flu vaccine,” says Dr. Stephen Miller, Hamilton County Health Department Health Officer. “By being proactive and implementing a few simple steps such as good hygiene, staying home when sick, and getting the flu shot, we can protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our community.”

All Health Department locations will offer the flu vaccine, a high-dose vaccine for those 65 and older, and an egg-free vaccine for those with an egg allergy. The Health Department encourages anyone with an egg allergy to call the clinic
ahead of time to ensure the vaccine is available and ready for their visit. The COVID-19 vaccination is also available at all
Health Department locations, according to the CDC, may administer the flu vaccine simultaneously.

To receive a flu vaccine from the Health Department, please visit Health.HamiltonTN.org for locations and hours or call 423-209-8000 for more information. If a minor is being vaccinated, a parent or legal guardian must be present at the appointment and bring a current, valid photo ID. If you are the legal guardian, please bring proof of guardianship.

Additional resources
• Questions? Call the Health Department at 423-209-8000.
• For Health Department information, visit: Health.HamiltonTN.gov
• To read this information in Spanish, visit the Health Department’s Spanish page at https://www.facebook.com/SaludHamiltonTN

09/09/2025

09/05/2025

Remember - bare is best. Keep pillows, blankets, toys, and padded crib bumpers out of your baby's sleep space.

Furbabies can have whatever they want.

09/05/2025

Did you know the Hamilton County Health Department offers a FREE program that helps families connect to resources and navigate complex systems, including care coordination for medical and social service needs?

It’s called CHANT – Community Health Access and Navigation in Tennessee. This program is designed to support pregnant women, children (birth to 21 years old), and youth with special healthcare needs. Families and individuals may qualify for reimbursement of medical services and assistance with co-pays, deductibles, and co-insurance for children with physical disabilities.

Whether you’re navigating healthcare, looking for insurance options, or need help with social services, CHANT is here for YOU.

For more information, visit http://bit.ly/41HbspX or call 423-209-8080.

09/03/2025

With school back in session, the Health Department is seeing a rise in Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) across Hamilton County.
HFMD is a common childhood illness that spreads rapidly in classrooms and childcare settings.

Symptoms may include painful mouth sores, rash on the hands and feet, fever, and sore throat.

You can help protect your child (and others) by:
•Covering coughs and sneezes
•Disinfecting frequently touched surfaces
•Keeping sick children at home until they are fever-free for 24 hours and no longer drooling from mouth sores
•Washing hands often

Let’s work together to keep our schools healthy this year!
More info: Health.HamiltonTN.org | 423-209-8000

09/02/2025

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
September 2nd, 2025

The Hamilton County Health Department awarded “Project Public Health Ready” Recognition & Protects Residents from Emergencies & Disasters through the PPHR Recognition Program.

HAMILTON COUNTY, TN – The Hamilton County Health Department has been recognized by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) for its ability to plan for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies. The Health Department demonstrated these capabilities by meeting the comprehensive preparedness benchmarks required by Project Public Health Ready (PPHR), a unique partnership between NACCHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Health Department joins a cohort of more than 550 local health departments across the country that have been distinguished for excellence in preparedness through PPHR, either individually or as part of a region.

“It has been an honor to lead this effort, ensuring our plans, trainings, and partnerships uphold the highest standards of public health readiness. This recognition is a testament to the strength of our preparedness program and the commitment behind it,” says Monica Machacek-Chiapello, Emergency Response Coordinator. “Earning Project Public Health Ready recognition highlights the importance of investing time, expertise, and heart into building a truly resilient community, one that is ready to serve the people of Hamilton County, no matter what comes our way.”

PPHR recognition confirms that the Hamilton County Health Department has a thorough and coordinated emergency response plan in place and that staff have the training to protect the health of the community during an emergency. Local health departments recognized by PPHR undergo a rigorous evaluation by peer review to assess their ability to meet a set of national standards for public health preparedness. These standards align with federal government requirements and other national best practices.

“Public health preparedness planning, response, and recovery begin at the local level. Local health departments play an essential role in creating healthy, resilient communities that can respond to and recover from disasters,” said Lori T. Freeman, Chief Executive Officer. “NACCHO commends the Hamilton County Health Department for being a model of public health emergency preparedness.”

NACCHO, the voice of the nearly 3,000 local health departments across the country, provides resources to help local health department leaders develop public health policies and programs to ensure that communities have access to vital programs and services that people need to keep them protected from disease and disaster. Its mission is to be a leader, partner, catalyst, and voice for local health departments to ensure the conditions that promote health and equity, combat disease, and improve the quality and length of all lives.

Additional resources
• For more information on Project Public Health Ready, including recognized sites, project tools, and resources, visit http://www.naccho.org/PPHR.
• To read this information in Spanish, visit the Health Department’s Spanish page at https://www.facebook.com/SaludHamiltonTN

08/31/2025

August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day. It's a time to remember those we’ve lost, support those who are grieving, and work together to prevent future tragedies. Let’s break the stigma and raise awareness: every life matters.

Recognizing an overdose can save someone’s life. Here are the signs you should look for, according to the CDC:

1. Small, constricted “pinpoint” pupils
2. Falling asleep or losing consciousness
3. Choking or gurgling sounds
4. Limp body
5. Cold and/or clammy skin
6. Slow, weak, or not breathing
7. Discolored skin (especially on lips and nails)

What to do if you think someone is overdosing(https://www.cdc.gov/stop-overdose/response/index.html)
It may be hard to tell whether a person is high or experiencing an overdose. If you aren’t sure, treat it like an overdose—you could save a life.
1. Call 911 Immediately.
2. Administer naloxone, if available.
3. Try to keep the person awake and breathing.
4. Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
5. Stay with the person until emergency assistance arrives.
All suspect cases should be reported immediately.

08/29/2025

All Hamilton County Health Department locations will be closed on Monday, September 1st, in observance of Labor Day. All locations will resume normal hours of operation on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025. For clinic hours and locations, please visit Health.HamiltonTN.org.

08/28/2025

⚠️ WARNING

E-cigarettes with ni****ne are highly addictive and are harmful to health.
Some of their toxic substances are known to...
❗cause cancer
❗increase the risk of heart and lung disorders.

today! bit.ly/3qHcEYB

08/22/2025

Happy National Senior Citizens Day!
Today, we proudly celebrate National Senior Citizens Day, a special occasion to honor the wisdom, experience, and rich life stories of our older adults. From guiding families with love and knowledge to shaping our communities with resilience and grace, seniors continue to make invaluable contributions every day.

Let’s take this opportunity to express our gratitude, whether through a warm conversation, a shared memory, or simply a moment of appreciation. This day also serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of advocating for age-friendly, inclusive communities where seniors are supported, respected, and empowered to thrive.

So, reach out to a senior in your life today—listen to their stories, laugh at their jokes, and celebrate the legacy they bring to the world.

For more resources on aging well, please visit: https://www.ncoa.org/aging-well/