Free flu shots on their way!

News Release
NWHU

For the eighth consecutive year, all Ontarians over 6 months of age (approximately 11.5 M people) will be eligible to receive publicly funded (free) influenza vaccine.
“Each year in Canada, influenza kills approximately a thousand people, and immunization continues to be our best available defense. The vaccine is highly effective in preventing complications and death from influenza and it’s recommended for everyone over 6 months of age” says Dr. Pete Sarsfield, Medical Officer of Health with the Northwestern Health Unit. The vaccine should be available starting in late October.
Ontario’s publicly funded program is available to all eligible Ontario residents who want to be protected from influenza. Vaccine is especially recommended for children between the ages of 6 and 23 months as infants and young children are more at risk for complications resulting in increased hospital rates. Last year in northwestern Ontario there was an increase in influenza cases throughout the area. Several infants and children were hospitalized due to influenza and it was noted that 100% of those children had not received influenza vaccine.
In addition, persons 65 and over and persons under 65 with chronic medical problems should be immunized as a priority. Those with medical problems are at higher risk of developing serious complications of influenza. Health care providers and volunteers in health care institutions are also considered to be a priority group, as they are most likely to transmit the virus to the high-risk population.
A new flu shot is required every year because the viruses that cause the flu are constantly changing. Each year influenza activity is tracked by worldwide surveillance systems so that the influenza vaccine contains the current strains of influenza expected to be circulating during the influenza season. Adults and children over 9 years of age require one dose annually, however children less than 9 years of age require two doses of the influenza vaccine, with an interval of 4 weeks between doses.
This year’s universal influenza program continues to extend the initiative so that the population of the entire province is once again eligible for publicly funded influenza vaccine. Community clinics will be offered in many Northwestern Ontario communities. For a list of clinic dates, times and locations in a community near you please call toll free 1-866-468-2240 or visit the Northwestern Health Unit website www.nwhu.on.ca