LOUISIANA, USA — Flu is continuing to spread across Louisiana.
Visits to the emergency room, and positive flu tests are higher locally than across the country.
According to the Louisiana Department of Health, 20 children have died from the flu across the U.S. One was in Louisiana.
Now local doctors are joining a video campaign, to stress the importance of getting a flu shot, now.
The CDC map paints the story. Louisiana flu cases have gone from high red, to very high purple.
“It's flu season. So, now is the time to roll up your sleeves and get your flu shot. Flu cases are on the rise and affect every age,” City Health Director, Dr. Jennifer Avegno says in a Healthy Heart Community Prevention Project video message.
That's why the video campaign hit the airways this week, encouraging you to get protected with a flu shot now. And the serious message is not stopping there.
Tulane preventive cardiologist, Dr. Keith Ferdinand has the next one.
“Now why would a cardiologist be interested in the flu? The people who get crippled, and die from the flu are the same patients I see in heart clinic,” said Dr. Ferdinand, who is also the medical director of the non-profit Healthy Heart Community Prevention Project.
He says every age needs the protection of the flu vaccine, but those with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, older age, or obesity, are much more likely to be hospitalized, or even die from a case of the flu.
“We know we have high rates of flu, and high rates of flu hospitalization, and death, and if you look within the black community, they tend to be immunized even less, but have an increased risk.”
Dr. Ferdinand says the shot is safe. It's been around since the 1940s. It is a piece of killed virus just to stimulate your immune system to have flu virus fighter cells ready to stop the invaders.
There are studies that show that there are fake social media accounts, called bots, from other countries that are putting out misinformation, telling Americans why they should not get a vaccine, even though doctors say it's lifesaving.
A couple of men we spoke with are taking no chances.
“Are you aware the flu is high right now in the city?” “Yes, I am.” “Did you get your vaccine? “Yes, I did,” responded one man to this reporter’s questions.
“I got it a couple of months ago and I decided I rather have it than need it,” responded another man.
Flu Ready NOLA is a campaign from the Healthy Heart Community Prevention Project, and it’s important now with Carnival so close.
“We have hundreds of thousands of people who come through here, and we often have people who will bring in diseases,” stressed Dr. Ferdinand.
And he says that is exactly what happened four years ago with COVID-19.
You can get your vaccine from your doctor, in a local pharmacy, or at a hospital.
If you have Medicaid, Medicare, or private, there is no out of pocket cost to you.
For more information visit Healthy Heart Community Prevention Project.
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