🩺 Free Flu Shots, Free Clinics and a Medicine Cabinet Clean-Out: Your Healthy Valley Report

Or: Where to Go and What’s Available This Fall, Most of It Free and Close to Home

Getting ready for flu season is a lot like changing the furnace filter before the first cold snap. It takes a few minutes, it costs little or nothing, and you’re glad you did it when the weather turns. The good news this fall is that a lot of help is close to home, and much of it is free.

Here’s what’s in this week’s report: free flu shots at every Valley health department on Tuesday, Oct. 20, a free UTC mobile clinic stopping in Dunlap tomorrow, Oct. 7, a free dental, vision and medical clinic in Chattanooga Oct. 17 and 18, free mammograms for women who qualify during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 24, plus the drop boxes you can use any time and a few old-fashioned habits, along with where to go if someone gets sick after hours.

⏱️ What this means for you in 30 seconds

• Want a flu shot? They’re free at every county health department on Tuesday, Oct. 20. No appointment needed. Ages 6 months and up.
• Need a checkup but no insurance? UTC’s free MobileMOC clinic is at the Sequatchie Senior Center tomorrow morning and at the Lewis Chapel Dollar General tomorrow afternoon.
• Teeth or eyes need work? Remote Area Medical holds a free clinic in Chattanooga Oct. 17 and 18. No ID, insurance or income rules.
• Due for a mammogram? Women 40 and up who qualify can get one free through the health department.
• Old pills in the cabinet? Drop them in the box at the Sequatchie County Sheriff’s Office any time, or at a Take Back Day site on Oct. 24.

💉 Free Flu Shots on Tuesday, Oct. 20: Fight Flu TN Comes to Every Valley Health Department

The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) says flu shots will be free on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at all local health departments in the state for its yearly Fight Flu TN event. Anyone 6 months and older is eligible, and no appointment is needed. The Sequatchie County Chamber of Commerce calendar adds that no insurance is required. Here are the hours on the state’s official site list for our area:

• Sequatchie County Health Department, 16939 Rankin Ave., Dunlap: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT. Use the main front entrance. (423) 949-3619.
• Marion County Health Department, 24 East 7th St., Jasper: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT. (423) 942-2238.
• Bledsoe County Health Department, 334 Frazier St., Pikeville: 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3:30 p.m. CT. (423) 447-2149.
• Grundy County Health Department, 278 North Industrial Park Road, Coalmont: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT. (931) 692-3641.
• Van Buren County Health Department, 907 Old McMinnville St., Spencer: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT. (931) 946-2438.
• Rhea County Health Department, 344 Eagle Lane, Evensville: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET. (423) 775-7819.
• Hamilton County has several sites around Chattanooga. Check the state’s Fight Flu map for the closest one.

Can’t make it on the 20th? Flu shots are also offered at doctors’ offices and pharmacies. TDH says uninsured or underinsured adults can get a free flu shot through their local health department, and children who are uninsured, underinsured or publicly insured, such as through TennCare, can get vaccines at no cost through the Vaccines for Children program.

What it means for you: Think of it like putting antifreeze in the truck before the first hard freeze. One quick stop and you’re set for the season. If you run a small business, it’s an easy thing to mention to your crew, since a free shot on a weekday can mean fewer sick days later. Questions about whether a flu shot is right for you? Ask your doctor or pharmacist.

👉 Read more (TDH: Free annual flu vaccine on Oct. 20) · Fight Flu site map and list · Sequatchie County Chamber listing

🚐 A Free Doctor Visit Rolls Into Dunlap Tomorrow: UTC’s MobileMOC Clinic

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s College of Nursing runs MobileMOC, a free mobile clinic that serves 10 Southeast Tennessee counties, including Sequatchie, Marion, Bledsoe, Grundy, Rhea and Hamilton. Its October calendar lists two stops in Sequatchie County on Wednesday, Oct. 7:

• Sequatchie Senior Center, 103 Heard St., Dunlap: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CT.
• Dollar General in Lewis Chapel, 4767 Henson Gap Road, Dunlap: 1 to 3 p.m. CT.

The clinic offers primary care and extras like fall and balance screenings, memory screenings and depression screenings. UTC says there’s no cost, patients are seen regardless of insurance, and anyone 18 and older can come, even though the team specializes in older adults. You don’t have to live in the county where the clinic stops. Walk-ins are seen if there’s room, but calling ahead at (423) 425-1657 is best. They also offer free local rides. Just ask when you call.

What it means for you: It’s like the old bookmobile, only it brings a nurse practitioner instead of library books. If you’ve been putting off a checkup because of cost, or you have a parent who could use a balance or memory check, this is a low-stress way to start. November dates haven’t been posted yet, so keep an eye on the calendar.

👉 Read more (UTC MobileMOC calendar) · MobileMOC FAQ

🦷 Free Dental, Vision and Medical Care in Chattanooga, Oct. 17 and 18

Remote Area Medical (RAM) is holding a free pop-up clinic at Notre Dame High School, 2701 Vermont Ave., Chattanooga, on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17 and 18. RAM says it’s open to everyone, with no ID, no insurance and no income requirements. Services include:

• Dental: cleanings, fillings and extractions. Dentures are not offered at this clinic.
• Vision: eye exams and glasses.
• Medical: basic health exams and screenings, offered to every patient.

It’s first come, first served. The parking lot opens by midnight Friday night, Oct. 16, and clinic doors open at 6 a.m. Eastern, which is 5 a.m. our time. Patients may pick dental or vision, and those spots can fill early. RAM suggests bringing water, snacks, your medicines and warm layers, since everyone waits in the parking lot.

What it means for you: This one works like the church fish fry. The early birds get the best of it. If you’ve got a tooth that’s been nagging you or your glasses are years old, pack a thermos and a blanket and make a morning of it. Questions? RAM’s line is (865) 579-1530, weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

👉 Read more (Remote Area Medical: Chattanooga clinic)

🎀 October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Free Mammograms for Women Who Qualify

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and it’s a good nudge to check when you had your last mammogram. The CDC says the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women 40 to 74 at average risk get a mammogram every two years, and that most health insurance plans must cover screening mammograms starting at 40 with no out-of-pocket cost.

No insurance? The Tennessee Breast and Cervical Screening Program offers free screenings at every county health department. In general, you must live in Tennessee, be 40 or older for screening, be uninsured or underinsured, and have household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level. In Chattanooga, Erlanger and Memorial are partner sites. Call your county health department, or the program’s office at 1-877-969-6636.

What it means for you: A mammogram is like checking the tread on your tires. It’s a quick look that helps catch small things early, when they’re easier to handle. The CDC says more than 99% of women whose breast cancer is found at an early stage are alive five years later. Talk with your doctor about what’s right for you, and if you’re the one who reminds everybody in the family, this is your month.

👉 Read more (TDH: Breast and Cervical Screening Program) · CDC: Screening for breast cancer

💊 Clean Out the Medicine Cabinet: Drug Take Back Day Is Saturday, Oct. 24

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) lists National Prescription Drug Take Back Day for Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s a free, anonymous way to get rid of old or unused medicine. Collection sites are still being added, so use the DEA’s site finder closer to the date.

You don’t have to wait for the 24th, though. Tennessee’s list of permanent drop boxes, updated in July, includes these spots around the Valley:

• Sequatchie County Sheriff’s Office, 351 Fredonia Road, Suite A, Dunlap: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. (423) 949-7750.
• Dunlap Police Department, 119 Church St.: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. (423) 949-3319.
• Marion County Sheriff’s Department, 5 North Oak Ave., Jasper, and Whitwell Police Department, 13671 TN-28: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
• Bledsoe County Sheriff’s Department, 235 Allen P. Deakins Road, Pikeville: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
• Grundy County Sheriff’s Department, 62 Spring St., Altamont, and Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department, 121 Taft Drive, Spencer: 24 hours a day.

What it means for you: Think of it like cleaning out the junk drawer. Old pills pile up, and getting them out of the house keeps them away from curious grandkids and pets. If you’re not sure a drop box takes something, like liquids or needles, give them a quick call first.

👉 Read more (DEA: National Prescription Drug Take Back Day) · Tennessee’s permanent drop box list (PDF)

🧼 Grandma Was Right: Simple Fall Habits, and Where to Go If Someone Gets Sick

The CDC’s list of healthy habits for flu season sounds a lot like what Grandma said at the supper table:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer when you can’t.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow.
• Stay home when you’re sick if you can. The CDC says you can get back to normal once you’ve gone at least 24 hours with symptoms getting better and no fever, without fever medicine.
• Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Wipe down doorknobs, counters and phones, and let in some fresh air.
• Get good sleep, stay active, drink plenty of fluids and eat well.

And if someone does get sick, it helps to know where to go:

• Weekdays: The Sequatchie County Health Department is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and offers primary care, according to TDH. Call (423) 949-3619. Erlanger Primary Care at 16931 Rankin Ave. lists hours of Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday, 8:30 to 11 a.m. Call (423) 949-2801.
• Any hour, any day: The Erlanger Sequatchie Valley Emergency Department at 16931 Rankin Ave. in Dunlap is open 24/7 for children and adults. (423) 949-2000.
• A true emergency: Call 911.

What it means for you: None of this is fancy, and that’s the point. A bar of soap and a good night’s sleep are still some of the best tools in the house. Stick those phone numbers on the fridge so nobody has to hunt for them at 2 in the morning.

👉 Read more (CDC: Healthy habits to prevent flu) · Erlanger Sequatchie Valley Emergency Department · TDH: Local health departments

✅ Your Healthy Valley Checklist

• ✅ Circle Tuesday, Oct. 20 for a free flu shot at your county health department. No appointment needed.
• ✅ Need a checkup? Stop by MobileMOC tomorrow, Oct. 7, or call (423) 425-1657 to ask about times and rides.
• ✅ Teeth or eyes need help? Plan an early start for the free RAM clinic in Chattanooga, Oct. 17 and 18.
• ✅ Women 40 and up: check the date of your last mammogram. No insurance? Call the health department.
• ✅ Bag up old medicine and drop it at the Sheriff’s Office box, or at a Take Back site on Oct. 24.
• ✅ Wash hands, cover coughs and stay home when you’re sick.
• ✅ Put the health department, your doctor and the ER phone numbers on the fridge.

Practical rule: Do the small things early. A free shot, a quick checkup and a clean medicine cabinet make for a calmer winter.

This article is general information, not medical advice. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what’s right for you and your family.

— Dunlap.Today

📚 Plain-English Health Glossary

• TDH: The Tennessee Department of Health, which runs the county health departments in our area.
• County health department: Your local public health office. In Sequatchie County, it’s on Rankin Avenue in Dunlap and also offers primary care.
• Fight Flu TN: A yearly day when Tennessee health departments give free flu shots. This year it’s Tuesday, Oct. 20.
• Walk-in: You can show up without an appointment.
• Primary care: Everyday doctor visits, like checkups, sick visits and managing ongoing conditions such as blood pressure.
• MobileMOC: UTC College of Nursing’s free mobile clinic that travels to towns across Southeast Tennessee.
• Remote Area Medical (RAM): A nonprofit that holds free pop-up clinics for dental, vision and medical care.
• Mammogram: An X-ray of the breast used to find breast cancer early.
• Federal poverty level: An income guideline set by the government that programs use to decide who qualifies for help.
• Underinsured: Having insurance that doesn’t cover a certain service, like a screening.
• Take Back Day: A national day, organized by the DEA, to safely drop off unused medicine.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an appointment or insurance for the free flu shot on Oct. 20?

No appointment is needed, according to TDH, and the Chamber’s listing for the Sequatchie County Health Department says no insurance is required. It’s open to anyone 6 months and older who is eligible.

What if I can’t get there on Oct. 20?

Call your county health department, doctor or pharmacy. TDH says uninsured or underinsured adults can get a free flu shot through their local health department.

Who can go to the MobileMOC clinic?

Anyone 18 or older, with or without insurance, and you don’t have to live in that county. It’s free. Call (423) 425-1657 to schedule or to ask about a ride.

What should I bring to the RAM clinic in Chattanooga?

RAM suggests water, snacks, all the medicines you take, a phone charger and warm layers, since you’ll wait outside in the parking lot. Doors open at 6 a.m. Eastern, which is 5 a.m. Central.

How do I know if I qualify for a free mammogram?

Call your county health department or the Tennessee Breast and Cervical Screening Program at 1-877-969-6636. The state also has an online eligibility form linked from its program page.

Where can I drop off old medicine in Dunlap?

The drop box at the Sequatchie County Sheriff’s Office, 351 Fredonia Road, is open 24 hours a day. The Dunlap Police Department at 119 Church St. has one open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

🔗 Other Resources

• TDH: Fight Flu TN 2026
• TDH: Local health departments, addresses and hours
• UTC MobileMOC: Free mobile clinic
• Remote Area Medical: Chattanooga clinic, Oct. 17 and 18
• TDH: Tennessee Breast and Cervical Screening Program
• DEA: Take Back Day collection site finder
• CDC: Healthy habits to prevent flu
• Erlanger Sequatchie Valley Emergency Department and Primary Care

🌻 A Healthy Valley Starts With Small, Easy Steps

You don’t have to do everything this week. Pick one thing. Maybe it’s the free flu shot on the 20th, a checkup at MobileMOC or a trip to the drop box with that bag of old pills. Every small step adds up, and there are good people right here in the Valley ready to help.

We’ll keep track of the clinics, screenings and free services so you don’t have to. Read Dunlap.Today and sign up for our newsletter for plain-English Valley news, and find local businesses anytime on Dunlap.Directory.