Flu shots are now available at parish health units throughout the state. The Department of Health is making these important shots available to people in certain high-risk groups, including children and older adults.

In defining high-risk groups, the Department of Health – Office of Public Health follows guidelines adopted by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. These recommendations are:

• All children 6 months old through 8 years
• Adults aged 50 and above
• Any person with a serious illness such as a chronic disease that weakens their immune system

The flu shots are available for $10.

Each year, millions of individuals get the flu, with more than 36,000 people dying from this virus. While many are ill for about a week and view the flu as nothing more than an inconvenience, there are many people for whom the flu can be deadly.

Health officials also stress that good hygiene is the best way for people to protect themselves from the flu and other viruses that cause colds, sore throats and bronchitis.

“We also want to remind people that fighting colds and the flu with antibiotics does not work,” said Dr. Raoult Ratard, state epidemiologist.  “Antibiotics do not fight these viruses and only make bacteria such as MRSA stronger.”

Ratard also said that using antibiotics to for cold and flu symptoms can do more harm than good because this practice increases the risk of a bacterial infection later.

Flu shots are available at parish health units in the Monroe area at the locations on the following schedule:

Monroe Area Flu Shots

Caldwell Parish

Caldwell Parish Health Unit

Appointments available

501 Collins Rd., Columbia

(318) 649-2393

Will also accept walk-ins to meet the needs of the clients

East Carroll Parish

East Carroll Parish Health Unit

Mondays and Fridays beginning Oct. 22:  8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

407 Second St., Lake Providence

(318) 559-2012

Will accept walk-ins and appointments to meet the needs of the clients

Franklin Parish

Franklin Parish Health Unit

Oct. 26:  8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Thursdays from 12:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

6614 Main St., Winnsboro

(318) 435-2143

Will accept walk-ins and appointments to meet the needs of the clients

Jackson Parish

Jackson Parish Health Unit

Oct. 29: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 30: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

228 Bond St., Jonesboro

(318) 259-6601

Will accept walk-ins and appointments to meet the needs of the clients

Lincoln Parish

Council on Aging (in partnership with Lincoln Parish Health Unit)

Oct. 30:  8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Lincoln Council on Aging

307 Homer Street, Ruston

(318) 255-5070

Lincoln Parish

The Arbor & Terrace Assisted Living Facility (in partnership with Lincoln Parish Health Unit)

Nov. 9:  7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

4518 Highway 80 East, Ruston

(318) 251-3116

Madison Parish

Madison Parish Health Unit

Mondays and Fridays from 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

606 Depot St., Tallulah

(318) 574-3311

Will accept walk-ins and appointments to meet the needs of the clients

Morehouse Parish

Morehouse Council on Aging (in partnership with Morehouse Parish Health Unit)

Oct. 24:  9 a.m. – Noon

821 Washburn Avenue, Bastrop

(318) 283- 0845

Morehouse Parish

Morehouse Parish Health unit

Oct. 29: 8: a.m. – 3:30 pm

Oct. 30: 8 a.m. – 3:30 pm

Oct. 31: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

650 School Rd., Bastrop

(318) 283-0806

Will accept walk-ins and appointments to meet the needs of the clients

Ouachita Parish Health Unit

1650 DeSiard Street, Monroe

(318) 361-7370

Will accept walk-ins and appointments to meet the needs of the clients

Ouachita Parish

Ouachita Council on Aging (in partnership with Ouachita Parish Health Unit)

October 23: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

2407 Ferrand Street, Monroe

(318) 387-0535

Richland Parish

Richland Parish Health Unit

Oct. 24: 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. and noon – 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 26: 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. and noon – 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 29: 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. and noon – 3:30 p.m.

21 Lynn Gayle Robertson Road, Rayville

(318) 728-4441

Will accept walk-ins and appointments to meet the needs of the clients

Tensas Parish

Tensas Parish Health Unit

Oct. 31: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Nov. 6:  8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

1115 Levee St., St. Joseph

(318) 766-3515

Will accept walk-ins and appointments to meet the needs of the clients

Union Parish

Union Parish Health Unit

Oct. 22:  8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Mondays and Fridays from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm

1002 Marion Hwy., Farmerville

(318) 368-3156

Will accept walk-ins and appointments to meet the needs of the clients

West Carroll Parish

West Carroll Parish Health Unit

Oct. 22:  8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 24:  1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Oct. 25:  8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.

402 Beale St., Oak Grove

(318) 428-9361

Will accept walk-ins and appointments to meet the needs of the clients