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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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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:

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.

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.

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Who Should Get a Flu Shot?

Those 6 months old and older.

Ochsner offers a variety of flu shot options, including preservative-free alternatives for pregnant women and people with allergies. Please note that due to a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nasal spray vaccinations will not be available this year.


Flu Shots: Myths vs. Facts

If you are experiencing flu symptoms, see a doctor today.

Myth:

The flu vaccine gives you the flu.

Fact:

A flu shot does not cause the flu. Flu vaccines are made with “inactivated” viruses, so there is no live flu virus in the shot. However, common side effects include soreness, redness and swelling at the shot site.

Myth:

The flu vaccine isn’t effective.

Fact:

The vaccine’s effectiveness varies by season. However, recent studies show vaccination can reduce the risk of getting the flu by 50 to 60 percent in the general population, according to the CDC.

Myth:

I don’t need a flu vaccine every year.

Fact:

Over time, immune protection from the flu vaccine decreases, meaning yearly shots are the best way to protect yourself and your family.