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

SHREVEPORT, 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 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:

Bienville Parish Health Unit
1285 Pine St., Suite 102
Arcadia, La.71001
(318)263-2125
Walk-In Clinic every day from 8:30a.m. until 4 p.m.
Mass clinic on Wednesday, Nov. 16 and Wednesday, Nov. 23

Bossier Parish Health Unit
3022 Old Minden Road
Bossier City, La.71112
(318)741-7314
Walk-In Clinic every day from 8:30a.m. until 4 p.m.

Caddo Parish Health Unit
1035 Creswell
Shreveport, La.71101
(318)676-5222
Walk-In Clinic daily from 8:30a.m. until 4 p.m.

Claiborne Parish Health Unit
624 W. Main
Homer, La.71040
(318)927-6127
Mass Clinic on Nov. 16 and 17 at First Presbyterian Church from 8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Walk-In Clinics at health unit daily beginning Nov. 18 from 8:30 a.m. -4 p.m.

DeSoto Parish Health Unit
120 McEnery St.
Mansfield, La.71052
(318)872-0472
Wednesday, Nov.16 from noon – 4 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 17 from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 18 from 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 21 from 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 23 from noon – 4 p.m

Natchitoches Parish Health Unit
625 Bienville St.
Natchitoches, La.71457
(318)357-3132
Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 16, Walk-In Clinics from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Red River Parish Health Unit
2015 Red Oak Rd.
Coushatta, La.71019
(318)932-4087
Beginning Nov. 14, Walk-In Clinics from 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Sabine Parish Health Unit
1230 W.La. Ave.
Many, La.71449
(318)256-4105
Starting Tuesday, Nov. 15, Walk-In Clinics daily from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Webster Parish Health Unit (Minden)
1200 Homer Road
Minden,La.71055
(318)371-3030
Starting Wednesday, Nov. 16, Walk-In Clinics from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Webster Parish Health Unit (Springhill)
218 1st.NE
Springhill, La.71075
(318)539-4314
Starting Thursday, Nov. 17, Walk-In Clinics from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

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