Tri-parish residents urged to get H1N1 vaccine

The state Department of Health and Hospitals and the Office of Public Health are encouraging Tri-parish residents to get their seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccine, according to a press release.

More than 200,000 people are hospitalized in the U.S. from flu-related complications each year; 36,000 die from those complications. In Louisiana, an estimated 600 to 1,000 residents die annually from the illness, said the release.

Among the groups urged to get the vaccine are: pregnant women, health care and emergency medical personnel, anyone six months to 24 years old and anyone ages 24-64 with a chronic medical condition like diabetes or heart disease. For more information, call (985) 447-0916, extension 324.