News & Announcements

COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines Now Available and Easy to Access
in the New Orleans Metro Area

New Orleans, LA (October 7, 2025) The New Orleans Health Department (NOHD) announced today that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has officially approved flu vaccines for ages 6 months and up and yesterday expanded that approval to place the COVID-19 vaccinations on the recommended schedule for 2025-2026.  Older adults and those at risk should check their eligibility for RSV, pneumonia, and shingles vaccines.

“These updated recommendations make it easier for everyone to protect themselves and their families from flu and COVID-19,” said Dr. Jennifer Avegno, Health Director of the New Orleans Health Department. “Vaccines are safe, free for most people, and available right here in our community.”

“Walgreens is proud to offer the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines in Louisiana to eligible individuals ages 3 and older, no prescription required," said Brian Strong, Director of Immunizations, Walgreens. “Individuals and families can walk into their nearest Walgreens pharmacy or schedule an appointment by visiting Walgreens.com/ScheduleVaccine, through the Walgreens app, texting “Flu” to 66879, or by calling 1-800-WALGREENS.”

According to CDC recommendations, adults are encouraged to consult with their doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to determine if the COVID-19 vaccine is right for them. Parents seeking immunizations for children under 18 are encouraged to contact their pediatrician or a participating pharmacy for assistance. It is important to note that prescriptions are no longer required to access COVID-19 vaccines at pharmacies or vaccination events, and insurance coverage continues to ensure no out-of-pocket cost for eligible individuals.

Residents can get vaccinated at local clinics, pharmacies, or community events. To find locations or a free vaccine event, visit the NOHD website at nola.gov/vaccines.

January 13, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

New Orleans Health Department Launches Initiative to Improve Access to Misoprostol with New Map

The New Orleans Health Department (NOHD) is proud to announce the development of a user-friendly map designed to assist health care professionals in identifying pharmacies that stock misoprostol within the city. This innovative tool aims to ensure timely access to this frequently prescribed medication for conditions such as miscarriage, IUD insertion and other women’s health procedures, minimizing delays in care and supporting better health outcomes.

Our goal for this map is to create a practical and user-friendly resource:

  • For Health Care Professionals: This tool will allow providers a quick way to direct their patients to nearby pharmacies with available stock, easing the burden on providers and helping them maintain a high standard of health care.
  • For the Public: Patients can use a simple map to find pharmacies in Orleans Parish that have misoprostol nearby. This will help them locate supplies close to their homes or workplaces. The dashboard will be updated regularly based on information received from providers, pharmacies, and patients.

"Timely access to misoprostol is essential for many health conditions, particularly for reproductive care and routine procedures,” said Dr. Jennifer Avegno, Director of the New Orleans Health Department.

Last year, Act 246 of the Louisiana Legislature classified misoprostol as a Schedule IV controlled substance. This classification imposed significant additional requirements for prescribing and dispensing this medication. To identify potential barriers to care, the New Orleans City Council tasked the New Orleans Health Department with conducting an impact study to identify challenges in accessing misoprostol.

Within a few months, NOHD received multiple reports indicating that misoprostol was often unavailable and that patients faced numerous obstacles when attempting to fill legal, medically appropriate prescriptions. These challenges, along with confusion and limited availability in some pharmacies, create barriers that can delay care and lead to worsened health outcomes. 

To better understand the scope of this issue, NOHD staff and partners contacted all listed pharmacies in Orleans and Jefferson Parish. Their findings revealed that:

  • Currently, 65% of pharmacies in Orleans Parish report having misoprostol in stock.
  • In Jefferson Parish, 30% of pharmacies confirmed misoprostol availability.

Recognizing that patients often travel to New Orleans from various parts of the state for medical care, we will expand our evaluations to other regions. Louisiana has many maternal care deserts, which are particularly vulnerable to worsening outcomes due to these added barriers to accessing care.

NOHD encourages providers, pharmacists, and patients to report any challenges in accessing misoprostol through the following link: https://nola.gov/misoprostol-access-and-reporting-form/. Furthermore, we urge health care providers to spread awareness about this tool among their patients and colleagues to maximize its reach and impact.

If a pharmacy is listed incorrectly, please email Ryann S. Martinek at Ryann.Martinek@nola.gov to be updated.

This initiative addresses NOHD’s commitment to improving public health, particularly maternal, child, and family health; and reduces health inequities by making essential medications more accessible. By providing clear and helpful information to both providers and patients, the department is taking an important step to reduce disparities in health care access.

To learn more about accessing misoprostol in New Orleans, visit Finding Misoprostol in New Orleans.

New Orleans Health Department Mission: To promote, protect, and improve the health of all in our community through equitable policies, programs, and partnerships.