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HEALTH HUB

Your Guide for Flu Season

'Tis the season for getting your flu vaccine. It’s about protecting yourself from getting seriously sick or even just the inconvenience of having to take sick days from work. But getting the flu shot is bigger than just your health. It’s about doing your part to help stop the spread and protect those you love. Schedule your flu shot today.

Where to get a flu shot

New and established patients are encouraged to schedule an appointment at one of our clinics listed below to receive their flu vaccine.



Adults Only 

St Francis Primary Care Clinic – Cypress
Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday, 9 a.m. – Noon
(318) 966-8420
Established patients are preferred.
St. Francis Primary Care Clinic - Royal Avenue
Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
(318) 966-8600
St. Francis Primary Care Clinic - Smith Medical Office
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wednesday, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. - noon
(318) 966-8700
St. Francis Primary Care Clinic - Swartz
Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m
(318) 966-8200
St. Francis Primary Care Clinic – West Monroe
Monday – Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
(318) 966-6350



Adults and Children 

St. Francis Pediatric Clinic
Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. - Noon
(318) 966-8370
Children - age 6 mos. and up.
St. Francis Primary Care Clinic - CHC
Suite 106
Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. – Noon
Saturday, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
(318) 966-6400
Children - age 12 and up.
St. Francis Primary Care Clinic - CHC
Suite 309
Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. – Noon
(318) 966-6575
Children - age 3 and up.
St. Francis Primary Care Clinic – Calhoun
Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
(318) 966-8390
Children - age 3 and up.
St. Francis Primary Care Clinic – Downtown
Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
(318) 966-2001
Children - age 3 and up.
St. Francis Primary Care – Ruston
Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. – Noon
(318) 232-1590
Children - age 2 and up.
St. Francis Primary Care Clinic – Sterlington
Monday – Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
(318) 966-8800
Children - age 3 and up.


How to prevent the flu

  • Get the seasonal flu vaccination.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • If you are sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with viruses that cause flu.
  • Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.


Colds vs. Flu vs. COVID-19


COLDS

Onset: gradual

Symptoms:

  • Aches (slight), common
  • Sneezing, common
  • Cough (mild to moderate), common
  • Stuffy or runny nose, common
  • Sore throat, common
  • Fatigue, occasional


FLU

Onset: sudden

Symptoms:

  • Fever, common
  • Aches, common
  • Chills, common
  • Fatigue, common
  • Cough, common
  • Headaches, common
  • Sneezing, occasional
  • Sore throat, occasional
  • Nausea/Vomiting, occasional


COVID-19

Onset: sudden

Symptoms:

  • Fever, common
  • Shortness of Breath, common
  • Aches, common
  • Chills, common
  • Sore throat, common
  • Headaches, common
  • Stuffy or runny nose, occasional
  • Loss of sense of taste/smell, occasional
  • Nausea/vomiting, occasional
  • Loss of sense of taste/smell, occasional


Frequently Asked Questions



No, a flu vaccine cannot cause the flu. Flu vaccines (flu shots) are made with killed (inactivated) viruses and are therefore not infectious, or with proteins from a flu virus. Nasal spray vaccine is made with attenuated (weakened) live flu viruses and cannot cause the flu.

The CDC recommends that almost everyone ages 6 months or older receive a seasonal flu vaccination. Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at high risk of complications from the flu including those aged 65 and older, pregnant women, children younger than two, and people with certain chronic medical conditions including high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, cancer, kidney or liver disease.

Children younger than 6 months of age are too young to get a flu shot. People with severe, life-threatening allergies to flu vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine should not get a flu vaccine.

According to the CDC, the onset, peak, and end of flu seasons varies from year to year and cannot be predicted. Since it is important to get many people vaccinated before flu activity begins, the CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommend being vaccinated by the end of October. Children 6 months through 8 years of age, since they require two doses, should receive their first dose as soon as it is available.

Yes. It is possible to get the flu even if you have received a flu vaccination. Flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu between 40% and 60%. Some people may have already contracted the flu prior to vaccination. The flu vaccination may take about two weeks to become effective. The flu vaccine reduces the severity of flu symptoms if you do get sick.



Protect Yourself from the Flu

Check out these resources on fighting the spread this flu season.

Flu Season Survival Kit

From over-the-counter meds to other tools to use this fall and winter, learn more here.

Clean the Flu Out of Your Home

The flu virus can stay on some surfaces for up to 24 hours. Find out which household cleaners are best to keep the virus at bay here.

Kids and Germs

Teach your kids about how to avoid flu-spreading germs at school and in after-school activities this fall. Read more here.

Why the Flu Shot Matters

One of our primary care physicians offers seven reasons why the flu shot is so important for you, your community and even your finances. Read all about it here.

The Science Behind Flu Vaccines

Learn more about how the flu vaccine works and why it’s different from COVID-19 vaccines. Read on here.



Did You Know?

  • The flu vaccine achieved better results last year than expected. People who got their flu shot reduced their risk of serious illness by one-third, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • Last year’s flu season was considered mild by most standards, and health officials attribute that to the measures taken to slow the spread of COVID-19, such as masks and hand washing, which also protect against the flu.
  • The “recipe” for the flu shot changes each year based on which strains of influenza appear most likely to occur that year.