Join Healthy Heart & Partners to Learn More About the Flu
What is the Flu?
What you can do?
Flu (Influenza), is a seasonal, contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. People 65 years and older, young children, and those with certain health conditions are at higher risk of flu complications.
What you can do?
What you can do?
How can you protect yourselves, your loved ones and your community from the flu? Make sure everyone you know gets the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine can help keep you from getting the flu, reduce the severity of illness if you do get the flu, and reduce the risk of flu-associated hospitalizations. Get your flu shot during the flu season, which is now at your local pharmacy or primary care provider.
What else can I do?
What else can I do?
In addition to getting the flu vaccine, here are preventative measures you can take to stay healthy and stop the spread of germs:
-- Avoid being face-to-face with anyone sick.
-- When holding sick children, place their chin on your shoulder to avoid coughing in your face.
-- Wash your hands often with soap and water and after touching anyone who is sick. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer as an option.
-- Wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces.
Flu Vaccination Information
What is a flu vaccine?
Influenza (flu) vaccines (often called “flu shots”) are usually given with a needle, to protect ourselves against the most common influenza viruses that research indicated for the upcoming season. See more at the link from the American Academy of Family Physicians below:
https://www.aafp.org/family-physician/patient-care/prevention-wellness/immunizations-vaccines.html
What Vaccines do You Need?
The National Foundation of Infectious Disease offers information, resources, and professional education about vaccines recommended across the lifespan (including children, adolescents, and adults). Use this link: https://www.nfid.org/immunization/
Vaccines FOR HIGH RISK POPULATIONS
If you are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, flu vaccination is especially important. When you get vaccinated, you reduce your risk of getting sick with flu and possibly being hospitalized or dying from flu. Find more information from the link below:
HEALTH EQUITY AND THE FLU
Long standing social and health inequities likely contribute to racial and ethnic minorities experiencing an unequal burden of severe flu outcomes. More can be found at the link to the Center for Disease Control below:
Flu Vaccine Info for Children and Adolescents
additional information resources
Useful Toolkits to Help Educate Communities About the Flu
Health Champions Influenza (Flu) Communication Toolkits
The National Minority Quality Forum’s (NMQF’s) Center for Sustainable Health Care Quality and Equity (SHC) Flu Communication Toolkit includes valuable tips and information health care providers and local leaders can use to help educate their communities about flu.
Each toolkit includes social media posts and graphics, informational handouts and messaging that can be used either electronically or downloaded for hard copies.
Tools/Resources for Pregnant Women from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
ACOG endorses the CDC's Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule for Ages 19 Years or Older, published and originally endorsed in 2024 and posted here, including the recommendation that pregnant and lactating individuals receive the COVID-19 vaccine. ACOG does not endorse the CDC's most recent recommendations, dated May 29, 2025, which has removed the COVID-19 vaccine recommendation for pregnant and lactating individuals.
American Academy of Pediatrics Flu Toolkit
American Academy of Pediatrics Flu Toolkit
This flu toolkit provides graphics, videos, sample social media posts and emails, articles and other resources to support and help families through the flu season and remind them why the flu vaccine is important.
Flu Ready NOLA Partners
