New Orleans Health Department

Your partner in community health, offering essential health care access, family support programs, and emergency services. We provide comprehensive care through health care facilities, nutrition programs, and preventive services.

Our focus includes public health emergencies, chronic disease management, behavioral health support, and environmental initiatives — all working together to create a healthier New Orleans.

Updated Respiratory Virus Immunization Recommendations

This reference includes the current flu, COVID-19, and RSV immunization recommendations from the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Infectious Diseases Society of Americaino a single source. For more detailed guidance from these groups, visit nola.gov/vaccines.

  Influenza (flu) COVID-19 Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

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Children and Adolescents 0-18 years

 Annual flu vaccine for all children 6 months+ All young children ages 6-23 months and children 2-18 years in certain risk groups or if desired All infants <8 months, if no protection from RSV vaccine during pregnancy, and children 8-19 months in certain risk groups

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Pregnancy

 Annual flu vaccine (avoid nasal spray flu vaccine) Annual updated COVID-19 vaccine One-time RSV vaccine in first eligible pregnancy if 32-36 weeks pregnant, given between September 1 and March 1

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Adults 19-64 years

 Annual flu vaccine for all adults ages 19+ Annual updated COVID-19 vaccine One-time RSV vaccine for adults ages 50-74 at increased risk of severe RSV

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Older Adults 65+ years

 Annual flu vaccine for all adults, enhanced flu vaccine (high dose, adjuvanted, recombinant, or mRNA) for 65+, if possible Annual updated COVID-19 vaccine for adults 65+, followed by a second dose 6 months later to boost protection One-time RSV vaccine recommended for adults ages 50-74 at increased risk and all adults age 75+

Immunocompromised

 Annual flu vaccine for those ages ≥6 months (avoid nasal spray flu vaccine) Annual updated COVID-19 vaccine for those ages ≥6 months Single dose of RSV vaccine for those ages≥18 years and for those ages <18 years, administration should be guided by shared decision-making

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Healthcare Personnel

 Annual flu vaccine Annual updated COVID-19 vaccine Follow age- and risk-based RSV vaccine recommendations

Application assistance for SNAP, Medicaid, and WIC is now available

The New Orleans Health Department is now offering application assistance at multiple locations across the city. The goal is to remove any barriers that New Orleans residents experience when applying for these programs.

View a complete list of locations and schedule

Narcan Distribution

Narcan ImageFree Narcan for reversing opioid overdoses is available to the public through the New Orleans Health Department in one of the following ways:

  • Pickup from the following New Orleans Fire Department stations:
    • Station #1 (2920 Magazine St)
    • Station #29 (317 Decatur St)
    • Station #36 (5403 Read Blvd)
    • Station #40 (2500 General de Gaulle Dr)
  • For City Hall pickup, contact Avery Temple at 504-514-6813 (call or text)
  • Businesses and nightlife spaces should reach out to Julia Heath with the Office of Nighttime Economy

Health Department

(504) 658-2598 (504) 658-2500 Email Health Department
1300 Perdido St. Suite 8E18 New Orleans, LA 70112

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October 7, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

New Orleans Health & Human Services Opens Enrollment for Diabetes Prevention Program Cohorts in N.O. East, Central City, and Algiers

New Orleans Health & Human Services (NOHHS) is now enrolling residents in three new cohorts of the City’s free Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), a 12-month lifestyle-change program designed to help adults at high risk for type 2 diabetes take steps to prevent or delay the disease. 

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September 17, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

New Orleans Health and Human Services Expands Benefits Access Support for Residents

The New Orleans Department of Health and Human Services (NOHHS), in partnership with the Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI), is expanding support for New Orleans residents seeking access to public benefits through a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

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August 14, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

New Orleans Health and Human Services Releases New Guidance to Expand Access to Doxy PEP, an Affordable Tool for Preventing Bacterial STIs

NEW ORLEANS - As Louisiana continues to face some of the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the New Orleans Office of Health and Human Services (NOHHS) is encouraging residents and health care providers to learn about doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis (doxy PEP). This evidence-based strategy can help reduce the risk of certain bacterial STIs after a potential exposure. To support the community and strengthen local prevention efforts, NOHHS is releasing a doxy PEP guidance designed to help both residents and providers understand how doxy PEP works, who may benefit from it, and how it can be used as part of routine sexual health care. This resource aims to make conversations about doxy PEP easier, improve access to the medication, and contribute to lowering STI rates in New Orleans.

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July 29, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

New Orleans Department of Health and Human Services Unveils Three-Year Impact Report Showcasing Community-Driven Health Improvements

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Department of Health and Human Services (NOHHS) just released its 2022–2025 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Impact Report, offering a look at three years of collective work to strengthen health and well‑being across the city. Powered by the energy and expertise of hundreds of community partners, the report shows how public agencies, healthcare providers, nonprofits, educators, and residents joined forces to take on some of New Orleans’ toughest health challenges together.

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July 24, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

New Orleans Mobile Crisis Team Delivers Faster, Smarter Care for Behavioral Health Emergencies

New Orleans Mobile Crisis Intervention Unit (MCIU) dispatches mental health professionals who de-escalate, assess, stabilize, and connect residents to care right in the community, often avoiding hospitalization entirely. This team has been able to operate as the fourth arm of the City’s first responder system to provide rapid response to behavioral health calls where weapons or violence are not involved.

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June 10, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

New Orleans Department of Health and Human Services and March of Dimes Promote Low Dose Aspirin to Reduce Preeclampsia Risk

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with March of Dimes, announces the expansion of its preeclampsia awareness campaign, “Take It Easy, Baby!”. Designed to combat one of the leading causes of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity, the campaign continues to increase awareness about the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia in Orleans Parish. A new provider education component of the campaign is now available to educate healthcare professionals on the benefits of low dose aspirin.

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