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
People aged 50 to 65
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 Lake Charles area at the locations below:

Allen Parish Health Unit – Oakdale
145 Hospital Drive, Oakdale
(318) 335-1147
Walk-in Clinic at Oakdale Health Unit
Friday, Dec. 2, 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Walk-in Clinic at Kinder City Hall
Monday, Dec. 5, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Walk-in Clinic at Elizabeth Town Hall
Friday, Dec. 9, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

* After these dates, influenza vaccine will be given on Tuesday mornings by appointment only.

Beauregard Parish Health Unit
216 Evangeline St., DeRidder
(337) 463-4486
By appointment ONLY at the Beauregard Parish Health Unit
Thursday, Dec. 1, 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Walk-in clinic at the Beauregard Parish Health Unit,
Friday, Dec. 2, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
After these dates, influenza vaccine will be given every Wednesday by appointment only from 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Calcasieu Parish Health Unit – Lake Charles
3236 Kirkman St., Lake Charles
(337) 478-6020

Walk-in clinics:
Wednesday, Nov. 30, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

(For the following dates a limited number of walk-ins can be seen.) 
Friday, Dec. 2, 12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 12, 12:30 p.m.- 3 p.m.

*Influenza vaccine will be given on Tuesdays and Thursdays at this location by appointment only.

Calcasieu Parish Health Unit – Sulphur
201 Edgar St., Sulphur
(337) 478-6020

Walk-in clinic:
Wednesday, Nov. 30, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

*Influenza vaccine will be given on Wednesdays at this location by appointment ONLY.

Cameron Parish
Hackberry Community Center
986 Main St.
Hackberry, La 
Walk-In Clinic
Friday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Fireman’s Center/Community Center
963 Hwy 384
Grand Lake, La
Walk-In Clinic
Thursday, Dec. 1, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Jefferson-Davis Parish Health Unit
403 Baker St., Jennings
(337) 824-2193
By appointment ONLY:
Monday, Nov. 28, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 5, 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 19, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

* After these dates, influenza vaccine will be given on Mondays by appointment only.

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