To help parents in northwest Louisiana prepare their children for school and day care this fall and protect them from preventable diseases, the Louisiana Department of Health - Office of Public Health is hosting back-to-school immunization events at parish health units and clinics in northwest Louisiana for the entire month of August. No appointment is necessary.

Immunization has proven to be a safe and effective way of preventing illnesses and death from many infectious diseases. Having kids vaccinated keeps them healthy and in school and protects other children and even other family members from getting sick. The low cost and high effectiveness of vaccination ensure that every dollar spent on vaccination is repaid many times over because of reduced hospital costs, in addition to lives that remain productive.

Parents or caregivers who take advantage of the no-cost immunizations should bring their children's shot records to the immunization event for updating.

The following parish health units in northwest Louisiana will hold back-to-school immunization events 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Monday -Friday August 1-31, 2011:

Bienville PHU
1285 Pine St.
Arcadia, La. 71001
8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Aug. 1-31, 2011

Bossier PHU
3022 Minden Road
Bossier City, La. 71112
8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Aug. 1-31, 2011

Caddo PHU
1035 Creswell Ave.
Shreveport, La. 71101
8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Aug. 1-31, 2011

Claiborne PHU
624 W. Main St.
Homer, La. 71040
8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Aug. 1-31, 2011

De Soto PHU
113Jefferson
Mansfield, La. 71052
8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Aug. 1-31, 2011

Natchitoches PHU
625 Bienville St.
Natchitoches, La. 71457
8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Aug. 1-31, 2011

Red River PHU
2015 Red Oaks Road
Coushatta, La. 71019
8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Aug. 1-31, 2011

Sabine PHU
1230 W. Louisiana Ave.
Many, La. 71449
8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Aug. 1-31, 2011

Webster PHU
1200 Homer Road
Minden, La. 71055
8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Aug. 1-31, 2011

The Louisiana Department of Health strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state citizens. To learn more about LDH, visit http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov. For up-to-date health information, news and emergency updates, follow LDH's blog, Twitter account and Facebook.

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