Drive-Thru Flu Clinic

now Offering drive-thru flu shots

Drive-Thru Clinic Services:

• Flu Shot

  • Must be 18 years and older

• Flu Testing

  • Must be 12 years and older

• COVID-19 Testing

  • Must be 2 years and older

Insurance and Payment Options:

• Most Insurance Accepted

• Medicaid

• Medicare

• Sliding Fee Scale

Hours

• Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm

Location:

3905 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA. 70806

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fight the flu - Get your flu shot today!

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a virus that is easily spread through the air when we breath. While the impact of flu varies from year-to-year, it places a substantial burden on the health of people in the United States each year. It can lead to hospitalization or sometimes even death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there were 400,000 hospitalizations and 22,000 deaths in the United States related to the flu last year.

The flu virus circulates year-round, but we typically see an increase in flu transmission during the fall and winter months. Increased flu activity can last as late as May. Because there are several different strains of the flu virus, each flu season is different.

Because of how easily the flu virus spreads and the serious complications that can be caused by the flu, receiving an annual flu vaccine is the best way to help protect yourself against the flu. The flu vaccination is safe and has been shown to reduce the risk of flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and even flu-related deaths.

After receiving the flu vaccine, some people may experience mild symptoms including fever, soreness, and fatigue. People can often mistake these symptoms for the flu; however, the flu vaccination CANNOT give you the flu! The symptoms you may experience are due to your immune system working to build a resistance to the flu. 

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic that is ongoing, it is important now more than ever to receive a flu vaccine this year.

Jason Kraemer, BSN, RN

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic that is ongoing, it is important now more than ever to receive a flu vaccine this year. COVID-19 and the flu are both viruses that are easily spread through the air and can cause severe respiratory complications. Across the United States, peopled diagnosed with both COVID-19 and the flu, often experiencing more severe complications.

If you haven’t already done so, get your flu shot today!

Open Health is now offering drive-thru services so that you can receive a flu shot, flu test or COVID-19 test from the safety and comfort of your car. If you have questions about the following services and information, please call us at 225-655-OHCC (6422).

Jason Kraemer, BSN, RN - Nurse Manager

Open To Vote

Why Does Your Vote Matter?

One vote compared to millions of other votes may sound useless to some. Although, if everyone were to think their vote didn’t matter, then there would be no voters at all. A single vote may not change the course of an election, but an accumulation of the same vote is very meaningful to the outcome. Voting is your civic duty, meaning as a U.S. citizen, you have the freedom to share your voice and to make choices that will benefit you and your community for years to come. Your vote can create the change you want to happen and defend the rights you already have. Your vote can decide how our tax dollars are spent and how government spending is divided. Your vote matters because those who don’t have a voice depend on you. Be Informed & Be Open To Vote.

2020 Presidential Election Voting & Registration Schedule

Register to vote at: http://bit.ly/ohcc_votingregistration

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Voting During Covid-19

Safe Voting Options in Louisiana for COVID-19:

• Mail-In Voting

  • October 30, 2020 is the deadline request a mail ballot from registrar (other than military and overseas).

  • November 2, 2020 is deadline for registrar to receive voted mail ballot (other than military and overseas).

To Learn More About Mail-In Voting Safety:

• Early Voting

  • Early voting starts on October 16, 2020

  • Early voting ends on October 27, 2020

Extra Safety Measures for Voting at the Polls:

• Make sure to wear a face covering or mask.

• Keep your face covering or mask over your mouth and nose the whole time, especially if you are indoors.

• If your polling place is at a high-risk facility, considered casting your vote early or by mail.

• Make sure to stay six-feet apart when waiting in line and try to stay away from large crowds.

• If possible, vote by yourself. Try to avoid bringing children and people who are high-risk for COVID-19 such as, people with underlying health problems and elders.

• If you are casting your vote on paper, bring your own ink pen.

• Sanitize your hands before and after casting vote.

• Bring bacterial wipes to clean surfaces that multiple people have touched when voting.

• If you are high-risk for COVID-19, consider early voting or mailing in your vote.

• If you are feeling sick, showing COVID-19 related symptoms, or have been around someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please plan to vote in-person after you have confirmed you are negative for COVID-19.

More information on COVID-19 safety measures:

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2020 Presidential Candidates

Quoted statements are directly from Donald Trump’s campaign website.

https://www.donaldjtrump.com/

Quoted statements are directly from Howie Hawkins’ campaign website.

https://howiehawkins.us/

Quoted statements are directly from Joe Biden’s campaign website.

https://joebiden.com/

Quoted statements are directly from Jo Jorgensen’s campaign website.

https://jo20.com/

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Polling Information

How to Prepare for the Polls:

1. Check Your voting registration before heading to the polls. Make sure your name is spelled correctly, your home address is up-to-date, and any other noticeable errors are fixed.

2. Make sure to read your sample ballot. Sample ballots provide information to registered voters, which include:

   • Polling location

   • Polling place times

   • A picture of what the actual ballot will look like

   • Voting Instructions

   • Candidates

   • Additional information

3. Remember to bring a photo I.D. with a signature, such as a driver’s license or a United States military photo I.D. If you do not have an official photo I.D., you may show your voter registration card to Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) to receive a special Louisiana I.D.

4. Voters are expected to NOT wear any type of clothing or accessories to promote a specific campaign such as, campaign pins, t-shirts, hats, etc.

5. Don’t forget a mask or face covering and bring hand sanitizer or wipes!

6. If you are voting early, please visit http://bit.ly/ohcc_earlyvoting for early voting locations.

Find Your Polling Place:

Mobile COVID-19 Testing

Drive-UP Mobile Testing Is Now Open

Criteria For testing

• Showing a temperature of 99.5 F or higher

• Cough

• Shortness of breath

• Been in contact with someone who has COVID-19

  Doctors Order NOT Required

Time & Locations:

We currently do not have any mobile testing dates scheduled, however you can drive-thru our permanent testing site located near our main clinic in mid-city at 3905 Convention St, Baton Rouge, LA 70806.

Call (225) 655-6422 for any questions or concerns.

Page updated: 11/24/2020

Understanding Hepatitis C

What you need to know about Hepatitis C

Nurse Practitioner Joni Nickens

 Hepatitis C is a disease of the liver. It is contracted through blood, such as a blood transfusion, sharing needles, or sharing personal items (toothbrush, nail clippers, combs, etc. of people who have Hepatitis C and are untreated) and less likely through sex. MSM’s are more likely to contract Hepatitis C through anal sex due to the rectal vault being so vascular.  

Hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure, and liver cancer. Of the people whom contact hepatitis C, approximately 20 out of every 100 people will spontaneously get over the virus (the body fights it off and gets rid of it), the rest will have chronic Hepatitis C. Of the approximately 80 out of 100 that have the chronic Hepatitis C, approximately 20%, or 10 people will develop cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell who will develop these complications. 

According to the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals data from 2017, approximately 500 people are newly infected each year. Here in East Baton Rouge parish we are second to only New Orleans in rates for Hepatitis C. Most cases are in the age range of 25 to 64, with African Americans having higher rates than whites. The highest rates of hospitalization due to hepatitis C complications is in the age range of 45-64, also, more in African Americans than white. 

To help stop Hepatitis C, the Department of Health and Hospitals has started a new program to treat all people that have Hepatitis C in Louisiana. Treatment of Hepatitis C is now a single pill to be taken orally every day for 12 weeks. Just 84 doses. Side effects are minimal, and most of my patients do not report any side-effects. Even if a person does have side-effects, they should work with their provider to help minimize them. It is just 84 doses. The cure rate if taken correctly is 95-98%.  

Open Health Care Clinic has many providers who treat Hepatitis C. We encourage you to make an appointment and get tested. Please call us at 225-655-6422. 

Joni Nickens, FNP

#WELLCHILDWEDNESDAY

#WELLCHILDWEDNESDAY

As your community health center, we want only the best for you and your family. With the school year quickly approaching, it’s important to bring your youngster in for their annual well-child visit. Our pediatric staff can make sure your child is up-to-date on their immunizations and chat with you about any other concerns you and your child may have about their health.

Give your child a healthy start to the school year by scheduling an appointment with our pediatric providers today! Please call us at (225) 655-6422. Learn more about our Pediatric Services at ohcc.org/pediatrics.