Roll up your sleeves, Louisiana - get your annual flu shot

With flu season starting in Louisiana and COVID-19 remaining widespread across the state, now is the time to get your annual flu shot. The Office of Public Health has scheduled flu clinics across the state to protect as many Louisianans as possible.

Flu shots are offered at no cost, but bring your private insurance, Medicaid or Medicare card if you have it. Your insurance will be billed. These clinics are drive-thru only. Individuals receiving a flu shot should wear a mask and remain in their vehicles.

“Getting a flu shot has never been easier, and this year it is more important than ever that we have as many people vaccinated for the flu as we can,” said Dr. Joe Kanter, Interim Assistant Secretary of the Office of Public Health. “The flu shot will not prevent COVID-19, but fewer people falling ill with flu means fewer doctors’ visits and hospitalizations, reducing the burden on our already strained healthcare system.”

If you miss these clinics, you can still get your flu shot at your doctor’s office or local pharmacy.

“We want to see everyone over the age of 6 months get their flu shot before the end of October,” said State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry. “We know people spend more time indoors during the holidays, which are not too far away. It takes time for your body to respond to the vaccine, so we want that flu shot to be working.”

Stop the spread

The everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of flu are the same as those that help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home and limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with viruses that cause flu.

Flu facts

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Louisiana Department of Heath recommend a yearly flu shot for everyone over 6 months of age.
• A flu shot is especially crucial for people who may be at higher risk for serious complications. This includes babies and young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions and people 65 years and older.
• The flu shot is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women, who can pass on antibodies to their babies that will help protect them.
• The flu shot starts to offer partial protection immediately, but takes about two weeks to offer full protection.
• Most seasonal flu activity occurs between October and May, and typically peaks between December and February.
• Last year in Louisiana, the flu was associated with more than 15,000 hospitalizations, more than 1,600 deaths and 5 pediatric deaths all due to the flu.
• Influenza is especially serious in long-term care facilities (nursing homes). Severe and even fatal illness can be introduced by healthcare workers, visitors and newly admitted residents.
• The flu has a tremendous impact on school attendance and on the families of school children. An estimated 28% of school-aged children get influenza each year.

For more information

• Visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm for weekly FluView updates from the CDC.
• For Louisiana-specific information, visit the LDH Fight the Flu LA webpage for information, resources weekly flu activity reports and more.