November 16, 2005 High-Risk Populations are Encouraged to Get Flu Shots – Thibodaux Area

THIBODAUX, Nov 16, 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 III 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
• Persons aged 50 – 64 years

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 Thibodaux area at the locations below:

•Assumption Parish Health Unit – Napoleonville
158 Hwy 1008
(985) 369-6031
By appointment ONLY

* Walk-in Clinic at Assumption Parish Health Unit
Tuesday, Dec. 6    1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
(A limited number of walk-ins can be seen on this date. Vaccine will be administered on a first-come, first-serve basis.) 

•Lafourche Parish Health Unit-Thibodaux
2535 Veterans Blvd, Thibodaux
(985) 447-0921
By appointment ONLY

* Walk-in Clinic at Lafourche-Thibodaux Health Unit
Thursday, Dec. 8, Noon – 4 p.m.
(A limited number of walk-ins can be seen on this date. Vaccine will be administered on a first-come, first-serve basis.) 

•Lafourche Parish Health Unit – Galliano
133 West 112th Street, Cut Off
(985) 632-5567
By appointment ONLY

* Walk-in Clinic at Lafourche-Galliano
Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
(A limited number of walk-ins can be seen on this date. Vaccine will be administered on a first-come, first-serve basis.) 

•St. James Parish Health Unit –Vacherie
29170 Health Unit Street, Vacherie
(225) 265-2181
By appointment ONLY

* Walk-in Clinic at St. James Parish Health Unit
Wednesday, Dec. 7 2 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
(A limited number of walk-ins can be seen on this date. Vaccine will be administered on a first-come, first-serve basis.) 

•St. John Parish Health Unit-Reserve
473 Central Avenue, Reserve
(985) 536-2172
By appointment ONLY

* Walk-in Clinic at St. John Parish Health Unit
Thursday, Dec. 8, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
(A limited number of walk-ins can be seen on this date. Vaccine will be administered on a first-come, first-serve basis.) 

•St. Mary Parish Health Unit-Morgan City
1200 David Drive
(985) 380-2441
By appointment ONLY

* Walk-in Clinic at St. Mary Parish Health Unit
Friday, Dec. 9, 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
(A limited number of walk-ins can be seen on this date. Vaccine will be administered on a first-come, first-serve basis.)

•Terrebonne Parish Health Unit-Houma
600 Polk Street, Houma
(985) 857-3601
By appointment ONLY

* Walk-in Clinic at Terrebonne Parish Health Unit
Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
(A limited number of walk-ins can be seen on this date. Vaccine will be administered on a first-come, first-serve basis.) 

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