This is your one shot to make a difference.

Every year, the flu returns – disrupting lives, filling hospital beds and threatening the health of those most vulnerable. But there is one step you can take to help reduce its reach: get your flu shot. One shot can help protect not just yourself, but the people around you.

How the Flu Spreads and Who Is Most at Risk

Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory illness that spreads easily through coughing, sneezing and even talking. It can also linger on surfaces, making transmission even more likely in public spaces, schools and workplaces.

While anyone can catch the flu, certain groups are at higher risk of developing serious complications. These include:

  • Young children, especially those under 5
  • Adults 65 and older
  • Pregnant individuals
  • People with chronic health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease

What might be a few days of discomfort for one person could lead to hospitalization, or worse, for groups at higher risk levels. When you choose to get vaccinated, you help protect these groups by reducing the chances of the virus spreading.

Why Widespread Vaccination Matters

Flu vaccines are not just about personal protection. When more people in a community are vaccinated, the overall spread of the virus slows down – a concept known as herd immunity. This is especially important for individuals who cannot receive the vaccine.

In addition, reducing the number of flu-related illnesses helps ease the burden on hospitals and clinics. During flu season, health care systems often experience increased demand for care, which can strain resources and limit access for patients with other urgent health needs. By getting your flu shot, you help ensure care remains accessible for those facing serious or unexpected health issues.

Your One Shot to Make a Difference

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends yearly flu immunizations for people ages six months and older. Each year, flu vaccines are updated to match the circulating strains, making annual vaccination the best defense against infection. It is safe, effective and widely accessible – often requiring only a few minutes of your time. 

As a convenience to our patients, Hattiesburg Clinic offers walk-in 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 public at this location throughout the 2025-26 flu season for those five years of age and older. 

This flu season, one choice can help protect the people around you. Getting a flu shot helps slow the spread of illness at home, at work and in your community. This is your one shot to make a difference. Take it.

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. Founded in 1963, Hattiesburg Clinic has expanded to include over 450 physicians and providers, along with 2,500 employees, serving patients across more than 17 counties in Mississippi. Hattiesburg Clinic is committed to being the health care provider of choice in the communities we serve.