Ochsner Health Hosts Flu Shot Fairs in Greater New Orleans Region on Saturday, September 24

NEW ORLEANS – Flu season is near and it’s time to roll up your sleeves for an annual flu shot. On Saturday, September 24, Ochsner Health is offering convenient options to get a flu shot in the Greater New Orleans region with the system’s annual drive-thru and walk-up flu fairs for patients ages six months and older. Appointments are preferred. Patients should visit Ochsner.org/flu for more information and call 1-866-OCHSNER or visit MyOchsner.org to book appointments for the whole family.

Remember to bring an ID and insurance card at your scheduled appointment time. The cost of flu shots will vary based on your health insurance. See the below schedule to find an Ochsner flu fair near you.

According to the CDC, flu shots prevented an estimated 7.52 million illnesses, 3.69 million medical visits, 105,000 hospitalizations, and 6,300 deaths due to influenza during the 2019-2020 season, the final pre-pandemic season. The CDC has attributed recent low flu levels due to COVID-19 mitigation efforts. With most masking and other mitigation efforts lifted, the flu vaccine remains the best protection from severe illness for you and your loved ones. All individuals ages six months and older are recommended by the CDC to receive an annual flu shot. New this flu season is the recommendation for people 65 years or older to receive a higher dose and adjuvanted flu vaccinations to help create a stronger immune response.

Ochsner Health offers four convenient and safe options to get a flu shot:

• Check out the schedule of upcoming flu fairs and book an appointment online through MyOchsner or call 1-866-OCHSNER.
• Schedule an appointment with a primary care provider or pediatrician through MyOchsner or call 1-866-OCHSNER.
• Visit an Ochsner Urgent Care location, which can administer flu shots to adults and children ages six months and older.
• Visit an Ochsner Pharmacy & Wellness location, which accepts most insurances and can administer flu shots to adults and children ages seven and older. Walk-ins are welcome.

Flu symptoms are typically abrupt and include body aches, fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and nasal congestion. Some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, so testing may be needed to confirm a diagnosis. Patients are encouraged to use Ochsner Connected Anywhere, which connects patients to Ochsner physicians via virtual visits from the comfort and safety home. Get started today at Ochsner.org/Ochsner-connected-anywhere.

Want to encourage community members to get the flu shot? Post a selfie showing off your bandage on social media, including #FluShotSelfie and tag @OchsnerHealth. For scheduling options and tips on staying healthy this flu season, visit Ochsner.org/flu.

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About Ochsner Health

Ochsner Health is an integrated healthcare system with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate. Celebrating 80 years in 2022, it leads nationally in cancer care, cardiology, neurosciences, liver and heart transplants and pediatrics, among other areas. Ochsner is consistently named both the top hospital and top children’s hospital in Louisiana by U.S. News & World Report. The not-for-profit organization is inspiring healthier lives and stronger communities. Its focus is on preventing diseases and providing patient-centered care that is accessible, affordable, convenient and effective. Ochsner Health pioneers new treatments, deploys emerging technologies and performs groundbreaking research, including over 700 clinical studies. It has more than 36,000 employees and over 4,600 employed and affiliated physicians in over 90 medical specialties and subspecialties. It operates 47 hospitals and more than 300 health and urgent care centers across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Gulf South; and its cutting-edge Connected Health digital medicine program is caring for patients beyond its walls. In 2021, Ochsner Health treated more than 1 million people from every state and 75 countries. As Louisiana’s top healthcare educator, Ochsner Health and its partners educate thousands of healthcare professionals annually. To learn more, visit https://www.ochsner.org/.