Baton Rouge Clinic News & Updates

Limited Number of Seasonal Flu Shots Available For Baton Rouge Clinic Patients

The Baton Rouge Clinic has just received a limited number of seasonal flu shots for exisiting patients ONLY. These will be administered on a first come first served basis.

Adults: 8am - 5pm, Monday through Friday, on the third floor of the main building

Pediatrics: 8am - 5pm, Monday through Friday, in the pediatric building.

MORE ABOUT THE FLU VACCINE...

Who Should Get Vaccinated

In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting seasonal flu can get a seasonal influenza vaccine.

Who Should Not Be Vaccinated

There are some people who should not get a flu vaccine without first consulting a physician. These include:

• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
• People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination.
• People who developed Guillain-Barre' Syndrome within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine.
• Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for this age group)
• People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated.)

Vaccine Side Effects (What to Expect)

The flu shot: The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. Some minor side effects that could occur are:

• Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
• Fever (low grade)
• Aches

If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot and usually last 1 to 2 days. Almost all people who receive influenza vaccine have no serious problems from it. However, on rare occasions, flu vaccination can cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions.

Nasal Spray LAIV (FluMist®) Flu Vaccine

It should be noted that vaccination with the nasal-spray flu vaccine is always an option for healthy people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.

The nasal-spray vaccine is a live, weakened virus and that does NOT cause the same severe symptoms often associated with influenza illness. (In clinical studies, transmission of vaccine viruses to close contacts has occurred only rarely.)

In children, side effects from can include:

• runny nose
• wheezing
• headache
• vomiting
• muscle aches
• fever

In adults, side effects from LAIV (FluMist®) can include

• runny nose
• headache
• sore throat
• cough