Free Shots After Seven Hepatitis A Cases Confirmed in "State of Franklin"
Traveling as we do, we often have time to learn about local history and why some places are different. Take eastern Tennessee for example. A remote territory of North Carolina before we broke with King George III, eastern Tennessee found it a.) wasn't wanted by North Carolina due to it having too many restless Native Americans, and b.) it's attempt to birth a new, independent state of Franklin wasn't welcomed by the new USA either.
It was while the State of Franklin was attempting to birth itself that North Carolina founded Hawkins County in 1787. While Franklin was aborted after about four years of pretending to be a state, Hawkins County made the transition to Tennessee when it was admitted to the Union in 1796.
Today, Hawkins County is continuing this East Tennessee independence in offering the public
free Hepatitis A shots. Here's what the Bristol Herald Courier is reporting:
The Northeast Regional Health Office has confirmed seven reported Hepatitis A cases in the Mooresburg community of Hawkins County.
Free Hepatitis A vaccines will be offered to all Mooresburg Community residents
Wednesday and Thursday, May 28th and 29th at the Slate Hill Baptist Church. The Slate Hill Baptist Church is located two miles off of State Highway 11 W on Slate Hill Road. The clinic will run from noon to 7p.m..
The Hawkins County Health Department is working with the Northeast Regional Health Office to give the vaccines to all adults and children (over 12 months of age). Officials are asking parents to bring immunization records for all minor children.
While we would like to know more about food outlets that might connect the seven cases, we sure like the idea of opening up the offer of free shots to everyone in the community. Do you suppose local restaurants are taking advantage of this offer to get their staffs vaccinated? Go for it Eastern Tennessee. Get shot like its 1787!
