October 22, 2007 Flu Shots Available at Local Parish Health Units (Monroe)
MONROE, - 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