November 14, 2005 High-Risk Populations are Encouraged to Get Flu Shots - New Orleans Area

NEW ORLEANS, Nov 14, 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 the New Orleans area 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 months to 2 years
• Pregnant women
• Health care personnel who provide direct patient care
• Household contacts and caregivers of children younger than 6 months

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 New Orleans area at the two locations below:

Marrero Health Unit    
1855 Ames Blvd.    
(504) 349-8802    
Mon. – Fri.    
 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.     

Metairie Health Unit
111 North Causeway
(504) 838-5100
Mon. – Fri.8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

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