Due to the outbreak of influenza across Louisiana and the nation, the state health department conducted an immunization day in Red River Parish and across the state. Free flu shots were made available on Wednesday at the Red River Parish Health Unit.

Nursing Supervisor Yashica Turner told the Journal 36 people took advantage of the free shots. The Journal talked with Shakeem Taylor while he was getting his inoculation. Taylor told us, “This is the first time I got a flu shot here. Before now it had been several years since my last flu shot.” Taylor is originally from Coushatta and he was in town visiting relatives.

Turner said, “We have been very busy. There was a lot of interest by people needing flu shots.”