November 18, 2005 High-Risk Populations are Encouraged to Get Flu Shots

LAFAYETTE, Nov 18, 2005 - Each year, millions of individuals get the flu. While many are ill for about a week and view the flu as nothing more than an inconvenience, there are many populations for whom the flu can be deadly. 

The Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health in Region IV will begin distributing flu vaccine, giving priority to high-risk groups.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines high-risk groups that need to receive the influenza vaccine, by the following criteria:

• People aged 65 years or older
• Residents of long-term care facilities
• Persons aged 2-64 with chronic diseases
• Children aged 6 to 23 months
• Children 6 months to 18 years of age on chronic aspirin therapy
• All women who will be pregnant during influenza season
It is very important that those who do not fall into these high-risk groups delay getting their flu shots until those who most need it have received theirs.

Flu shots are available in the Acadiana area at the locations below:

• Acadia Parish Health Unit
530 West Mill St.
Crowley, LA 
337-788-7507
            *call for an appointment

• Evangeline Parish Health Unit
1010 West LaSalle St.
Ville Platte, LA
337-363-1135
Tuesday, 11/15  - 8 a.m. –noon, 1-3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, 11/16 – 8 a.m. –noon, 1-3:30 p.m.
Friday, 11/18  - 8 a.m. –noon, 1-3:30 p.m.
*After these dates, please call for an appointment

• Iberia Parish Health Unit
121 West Pershing St.
New Iberia, LA
337-373-0021
Thursday 11/17/2005 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.  
Friday 11/18/2005 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday 12/01/2005 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
       and then every Thursday 8 a.m. -11:30 a.m.

• Lafayette Parish
Clifton Chenier Town Hall
Friday, 11/18 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  220 West Willow St.
Lafayette, LA

Lafayette Parish Health Unit
220 West Willow St.
Building A
Lafayette, LA
337-262-5616
*Call for an appointment

• St. Landry Parish

Opelousas – Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.
Opelousas Main Fire Station, Corner of Crestwell and South Union
337-948-0220 (health unit phone number)

Eunice – Friday, Dec. 2 from 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.
Eunice Health Unit
131 City Ave., Eunice    
337-457-2767

Melville – Tuesday, Nov. 29 from 8-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-3 p.m.
Melville Health Unit
337-948-0220
*For flu immunizations at times other than these clinics, please call the health unit for an appointment.

• St Martin Parish Health Unit
 303 West Port St.
St. Martinville, LA
337-394-3097
Every Friday through December from  8 a.m. -- noon
Thursdays, 12/8/05, 12/22/05 and 12/29/05 from 8 a.m. -- noon

• Vermilion Parish Health Unit
401 South St Charles St.
Abbeville, LA
337-893-1443
*Call for an appointment

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