Flu season is here

The flu can have a serious impact on the health of our communities, and this year with COVID-19, it’s more important than ever for everyone to get the flu vaccine this fall to protect you and your loved ones. Schedule a flu vaccine appointment in MyOchsner.

If you or a family member has flu symptoms, please visit an Urgent Care location or see a doctor online 24/7 with an Ochsner Connected Anywhere Virtual Visit.

Here are some ways to tell the difference between the common cold and the flu.

We also offer a 24/7 Ochsner On Call nurse care line, at 1-800-231-5257. 

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4 Ways to Get a Flu Shot at Ochsner Health

1. Visit an Ochsner Pharmacy & Wellness Location

Find a Pharmacy & Wellness location near you.

Ochsner Pharmacy & Wellness accepts most insurances, and walk-ins are welcome. They can administer flu shots to adults and children ages 9 and up.

2. Primary Care and Pediatric Physicians

Ochsner primary care and pediatric physicians offer flu shots by appointment.
To schedule an appointment:

• Schedule online through our secure patient portal, MyOchsner
• Call 1-866-OCHSNER

3. Visit an Urgent Care Location

Find an Urgent Care location near you.
Ochsner's urgent care locations can administer flu shots to adults and children 6 months and older.

4. Visit an Ochsner Drive-thru or Walk-up Flu Fair

We will have drive-thru and walk-in fairs at the following locations:

New Orleans Region:

• Ochsner Center for Primary Care and Wellness
  • Join us at our flu fairs on Sept. 23 and Oct. 21.
  • This will be a drive-thru site from from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

• Ochsner Health Center - St. Bernard
  • Join us at our flu fairs on Sept. 23 and Oct. 21.
  • This will be a walk-in site from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

• Ochsner Medical Center - West Bank
  • Join us at our flu fairs on Sept. 23 and Oct. 21.
  • This will be a drive-thru site from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Ochsner Health Center – Tchoupitoulas
  • Join us at our flu fairs on Oct. 21.
  • This will be a walk-in site from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

• Ochsner Community Health - Brees Family Center (Bullard Avenue)
  • Join us at our flu fairs on Sept. 23 and Oct. 21.
  • This will be a drive-thru site from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

• Ochsner Medical Center - Kenner
  • Join us at our flu fairs on Oct. 21.
  • This will be a drive-thru site from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

• St. Charles Parish Hospital 
  • Join us at our flu fairs on Oct. 21.
  • This will be a drive-thru site from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Pediatric Flu Fair Events in New Orleans:

• Ochsner Health Center for Children - New Orleans
  • Join us for a trunk-or-treat flu fair for children only on Oct. 18.
  • The flu fair will be from 4:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. 
• Ochsner Health Center - Lapalco
  • Join us for a trunk-or-treat flu fair for children only on Oct. 25.
  • The flu fair will be from 4:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.

Baton Rouge Region:

• Ochsner Health Center - Baton Rouge
  • Join us at our flu fairs on Sept. 23 and Oct. 21.
  • This will be a drive-thru site from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

• Ochsner Medical Complex - The Grove
  • Join us at our flu fairs on Sept. 23 and Oct. 21.
  • This will be a walk-in site from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

• Ochsner Health Center - Tangipahoa
  • Join us at our flu fairs on Sept. 23 and Oct. 21.
  • This will be a walk-in site from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

• Ochsner Community Health - Brees Family Center (Howell Blvd.)
  • Join us at our flu fairs on Sept. 23 and Oct. 21.
  • This will be a walk-in site from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Southwest Region:

• Ochsner CHRISTUS Health Center - St. Patrick
  • Join us at our flu fairs on Sept. 23 and Oct. 21.
  • This will be a walk-in site from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Bayou Region:

• Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center
  • Join us at our flu fairs on Sept. 16.
  • This will be a drive-thru site from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

• Ochsner St. Mary Family Medicine Clinic
  • Join us at our flu fairs on Oct. 7.
  • This will be a walk-in site from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. 

Northshore Region:

• Ochsner Health Center - Slidell
  • Join us at our flu fairs on Sept. 23 and Oct. 21.
  • This will be a walk-in site from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

• Ochsner Health Center - Covington
  • Join us at our flu fairs on Sept. 23 and Oct. 21.
  • This will be a walk-in site from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Mississippi Region:

• Ochsner Medical Center - Hancock
  • Join us at our flu fairs on Sept. 23 and Oct. 21.
  • This will be a drive-thru site from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

North Louisiana:

• Ochsner LSU Health - Spring Lake
  • Join us at our flu fairs on Sept. 23 and Oct. 21.
  • This will be a walk-in site from 8 a.m. - noon.

The Flu and COVID-19

Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a new coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2) and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses. Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone, and testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis. Flu and COVID-19 share many characteristics, but there are some key differences between the two.

While it’s not possible to say with certainty what will happen in the fall and winter, CDC believes it’s likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both be spreading this fall and winter. In this context, getting a flu vaccine will be more important than ever. CDC recommends that all people 6 months and older get a yearly flu vaccine.

Flu Season is Here

Are you waiting until the last minute? Don’t. Flu shots take about two weeks to provide protection. Get vaccinated before peak flu season hits by scheduling your appointment online today. Or discover four ways you can get your flu shot at Ochsner.