NASHVILLE (AP) - Children covered by TennCare and children without insurance that covers the flu vaccine can get vaccinated at county health department clinics for only a small administrative fee.

The Tennessee Health Department says children will not be turned away if parents cannot afford the fee.

The flu vaccine is especially important for people at high risk for serious illness or death from influenza, which includes young children.

Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner warned in a news release that it is very important for people who have not yet received an annual flu vaccination to get one right away.

This is the earliest start to a flu season since 2003, and health officials believe it could be a particularly severe one.

A list of Tennessee's county health departments is available online at health.state.tn.us/localdepartments.htm.