Department of Health

Gov. Jeff Landry has appointed Bruce Greenstein, the health secretary under former Gov. Bobby Jindal, to help lead Louisiana’s Department of Health.

Louisiana’s Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham confirmed Thursday that two infants have died in the last six months amid an ongoing whooping cough outbreak in the state, and said vaccines are the best way to protect against infections.

The cuts target mental health and substance use programs, including crisis services, according to Louisiana health officials.

Louisiana will have to replace the agency leader in charge of the largest budget in state government, as the state health department announced Thursday that its secretary, Michael Harrington, has retired.

Louisiana’s top public health physician is described in multiple state communications as a family medicine physician, but he is not listed as board-certified in the specialty.

The directive continues a dramatic shift in vaccine policy within the health department under the leadership of Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham and Deputy Surgeon General Dr. Wyche Coleman, both of whom have repeated vaccine misinformation.

At least 15 people reported illness after eating oysters at several New Orleans restaurants.

The New Orleans Health Department has launched a new map showing which pharmacies in the city stock the drug misoprostol.

Pharmacists insist no policies have changed as doctors try to determine why their patients have to chase down medication prior to health procedures.

Louisianans 18 years and older who completed their Moderna or Pfizer (Comirnaty) COVID-19 vaccine series more than six months ago and those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine more than two months ago are now eligible to receive a booster shot, Louisiana Department of Health officials said Wednesday in an announcement.