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 2 (Baton Rouge area) will be 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 at the locations below:

• Ascension Parish Health Unit - Donaldsonville
901 Catalpa St., Donaldsonville
(225) 474-2004
Walk-in Clinics beginning Wednesday, Nov. 30
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

• East Baton Rouge Parish Health Unit
353 N. 12th St., Baton Rouge
(225) 242-4862
 Walk-in Clinic:  Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

• East Feliciana Parish Health Unit
12080 Marston St., Clinton
(225) 683-8551
Walk-in clinics:
Monday – Thursday, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.; Fridays, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

• Iberville Parish Health Unit
24705 Plaza Drive, Plaquemines
(225) 687-9021
Walk-in clinic:
Tuesday, Nov. 29, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 30, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
After Nov. 30, every Friday, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

• Pointe Coupee Parish Health Unit
282 B Hospital Road, New Roads
(225) 638-7320 
Walk-In Clinic:
Friday, Nov. 18, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 21, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 22, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
After Nov. 22, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

• West Baton Rouge Parish Health Unit
685 Louisiana Ave., Port Allen
(225) 342-7525
Walk-in Clinic:
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

• West Feliciana Parish Health Unit
5154 Burnett Road, St. Francisville
(225) 635-3644
Friday, Nov. 18, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 21, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
After Nov.21, every Friday, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

--end--