Media Advisory: DHH Flu Campaign Events Kickoff Statewide
"Spread the Word, Not the Flu! It's time to get the shot."

Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012  |  Contact: Ken Pastorick; (225) 342-1881 or (225) 588-4651 (cell)

BATON ROUGE - As part of National Influenza Vaccination Week, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein and New Orleans Commissioner of Health Dr. Karen DeSalvo will kick off the state's annual flu vaccination campaign at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Ruth U. Fertel/Tulane Community Health Center.

Each year, more than 200,000 Americans are hospitalized because of the flu and more than 36,000 die from influenza-related causes. While Louisiana normally doesn't see increased flu activity until January, DHH surveillance has noted a recent uptick in flu activity across the state.

WHO: Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals

WHAT: Spread the Word, Not the Flu! Campaign Kickoff

WHERE: Ruth U. Fertel/Tulane Community Health Center, 711 N. Broad St., New Orleans, La.

WHEN: 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012

In keeping with this year's theme of the flu vaccine campaign "Spread the Word, Not the Flu! It's Time to Get the Shot," similar kick-off events will be held in each area of the state with local leaders and medical officials. Each of these regional events will take place at 1:30 p.m. at the following locations: