News

August 4, 2021 | From City of New Orleans

State and City Open Third Drive-Thru Site in New Orleans Area Offering COVID-19 Vaccines and Testing

National Guardsman speaks to driver of a vehicle awaiting COVID testing

 

NEW ORLEANS — Beginning Thursday, Aug. 5, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), in partnership with the Louisiana National Guard (LANG), the City of New Orleans, and the University of New Orleans, will offer a third drive-thru site in the New Orleans area to provide free COVID-19 vaccines and testing six days a week.

 

The University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena parking lot in Gentilly will once again serve as a COVID-19 testing and vaccine site. Vaccines and testing will also continue to be offered Monday through Saturday at the Mahalia Jackson Theater parking lot in Treme and at Harold MacDonald Sr. Park on the Westbank. 

 

“As we experience the fourth and most severe surge of COVID-19 in Louisiana, we must take a multi-pronged approach to combat the virus,” said New Orleans Health Department Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno. “Masking slows the spread, testing identifies cases and pandemic trends, and vaccines prevent hospitalizations and deaths. It only makes sense to co-locate these resources so that residents can access the tools they need to stay safe in one stop. I’m grateful to LDH and LANG for their continued dedication to helping New Orleans residents fight the virus.” 

 

Vaccine administration and testing will be done in separate areas on each site, so please indicate to the personnel which service you are requesting upon arrival. No pre-registration is needed for vaccines, which include the one-dose Johnson and Johnson and the two-dose Pfizer. As a reminder, Pfizer is currently the only vaccine approved for children ages twelve and older.  

 

Individuals are encouraged to pre-register online for testing. Tests at these sites are the self-administered, PCR non-invasive nasal swab variety and results are typically provided within two to four days. Per Governor Edwards’ emergency order, anyone who suspects they have been exposed should get tested immediately, regardless of vaccination status. 

 

Transportation options are available to all of these sites, including Uber rides up to $35 in value in each direction. To request a free Uber, use the code 10MVNOLA in the Uber app or call 3-1-1 (504-658-2299). Lyft is also offering free rides to vaccine sites, which can be accessed at lyft.com/vaccine-access. The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority provides public transportation near the Mahalia Jackson and UNO sites.

 

As a reminder, no identification or insurance is required to access a vaccine or a test at these sites. Both testing and vaccines are free of charge.  

 

Schedule: 

UNO Lakefront Area Parking Lot, 6801 Franklin Ave.

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday (evening hours may fluctuate based on events at the arena) 

8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday 

 

Mahalia Jackson Theater Parking Lot, 1419 Basin St. 

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 
8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday 

 

Harold MacDonald Sr. Park, 900 Drake Ave. 

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday 

8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday 

 

Testing and vaccines are also available at numerous pharmacies and clinics in New Orleans, including NOELA in New Orleans East. To view vaccine sites, visit ready.nola.gov/vaccine. To view testing sites, visit ready.nola.gov/testing

 

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