Friday, October 19, 2012
Perth District Health Unit
Perth County Community Flu Shot Clinics Start October 29
It’s flu shot time again! The Perth District Health Unit is urging everyone to stay healthy this winter by getting the free flu shot.
Flu shots will be available at community clinics across Perth County starting in Stratford on October 29. The flu shot is also available through family doctors, family health teams, at select pharmacies, and through some workplaces.
As always, the flu shot is the number one way all individuals over 6 months of age can protect themselves and their families from getting sick with the flu. “The flu is a serious respiratory virus and much worse than a cold,” says Lorna Askes, Public Health Nurse. “The flu shot works by boosting your immune system to make it better at fighting the flu – and keeping you healthy.”
The flu shot protects against three strains of influenza, including: H3N2, H1N1 and an influenza B strain. Typical symptoms of the flu include a cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat, chills, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, sneezing, watery eyes, and loss of appetite. The influenza virus spreads easily. Influenza rarely causes diarrhea or throwing up. It is not the same as what’s often referred to as “stomach flu.”
The flu shot is highly recommended for the following individuals:
A. People at high risk of flu-related complications or hospitalizations:
- All children 6 to 59 months of age (5 years old)
- Adults 65 years of age and older
- Adults and children with a chronic health condition such as heart or lung diseases, diabetes, renal disease, cancer, morbid obesity (BMI = 40)
- Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities
- Pregnant women
- Aboriginal peoples
- Persons with compromised immune systems
B. People who can spread the flu to those at high risk:
- Health care and other care providers in facilities and community settings
- Household contacts (adults and children) of people at high risk of flu complications: those listed in Group A above and infants under 6 months old
- Members of a household expecting a newborn during the flu season
- Those providing care to children under 59 months of age (5 years old), whether in or out of the home.
C. Others:
- People who provide essential community services
- Farmers and farm workers
Askes notes that, “Health care workers are strongly encouraged to get their flu shots to protect the patients they care for, as well as themselves and their families.” Healthcare workers in long-term care homes and hospitals will be able to get the flu shot in their place of work.
The schedule of flu shot clinics is available to download.
For more information:
- Call Health Line at 519-271-7600 ext 267 or toll-free at 1-877-271-7348 ext 267
- Visit www.pdhu.on.ca.
Media Contact:
Rebecca Hill
Communications Manager
519-271-7600 ext 279
rhill@pdhu.on.ca
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