By way of background, we go to the Great State of Louisiana (boldface mine):

Flu season is ramping up across the US, but Louisiana—the state that has reportedly barred its health department from promoting flu shots, as well as COVID-19 and mpox vaccines—is leading the country with an early and strong surge…

Last week, NPR, KFF Health News, and New Orleans Public Radio WWNO reported that the state had forbidden the health department and its workers from promoting annual flu shots, as well as vaccines for COVID-19 and mpox. The policy was explicitly kept quiet and officials have avoided putting it in writing.

In a response to Ars Technica, health department spokesperson Emma Herrock did not deny the claim or dispute any of the outlets’ reporting. Instead, Herrock provided a statement confirming that the department’s policy had shifted, specifically, it moved “away from one-size-fits-all paternalistic guidance” and to the stance that “immunization for any vaccine … are an individual’s personal choice.” Discussions and decisions about vaccines should be between an individual and their health provider, the statement read.

The statement seemed to offer an assurance that other vaccines were not subject to the new restrictions. “Changes regarding seasonal vaccines like COVID and influenza do not change the Department’s policy or messaging regarding childhood immunizations,” it read.

This flu season, the health department has reportedly canceled standard vaccination events and clinics. On social media, the department has avoided mentioning flu shots in posts about the flu, instead advising people to wash their hands and cover their coughs.

The modest proposal is that a private organization could step in with ads that have the slogan: “Get the treatment THE GOVERNMENT DOESN’T WANT YOU TO HAVE.”

I’m not being snarky when I say that I have no idea whether I actually mean this or not.