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 V 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 Region 6 area at the locations below:

Avoyelles Parish Health Unit – Marksville Only
657 Government St.
Marksville, LA  71351
(318) 253-4523
Walk-in Clinic Friday, Nov. 18
8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Catahoula Parish Health Unit
200 Third. St.
Jonesville, LA  71343
(318) 339-8352
Walk-In Clinic, Thursday, Nov. 17
 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Concordia Parish Health Unit
905 Mickey Gilley Ave.
Ferriday, LA  71334
(318) 757-8632
Walk-In Clinic, Friday, Nov. 18
 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Grant Parish Health Unit
513 8th St.
Colfax, LA  71417
(318) 627-3133
Walk-In Clinics, Tuesday, Nov. 15
1p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 18
8 a.m.  – 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

LaSalle Parish Health Unit
1673 North Second St.
Jena, LA  71342
(318) 992-4842
Walk-In Clinics, Thursday, Nov. 17
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 18
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Rapides Parish Health Unit
5604-A Coliseum Blvd.
Alexandria, LA  71303
(318) 487-5282
Walk-In Clinics, Wednesday, Nov. 16, Thursday, Nov. 17 and Friday, Nov. 18
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Vernon Parish Health Unit
406 West Fertitta Blvd.
Leesville, LA  71446
(337) 238-6410
Walk-In Clinic, Friday, Nov. 18
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

 Winn Parish Health Unit
301 West Main St.
Winnfield, LA  71483
(318) 628-2148
Walk-In Clinic, Wednesday, Nov. 16
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

* After these dates, call your local health units for availability of flu vaccine.

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