By Staff
October 24, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It is that time of year again – needle in the arm. The province is reminding people to protect themselves and get their flu shot.
The free flu vaccine will be available in Ontario starting this week, so that people can better protect themselves against the flu virus and stay healthy.
Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon, and now Minister of Tourism, Sport and Culture getting her flu shot last year.
The vaccine will be available at doctor’s offices, local public health units and community immunization clinics. Anyone five years of age and older can also be vaccinated for free by trained pharmacists at approximately 2,600 pharmacies across the province.
Influenza is a serious respiratory infection that can lead to hospitalization and even death. It’s important to get the flu shot every year to protect yourself, and those around you. Children under five, pregnant women and seniors are especially at risk of getting seriously ill from the flu. The vaccine is very safe and helps to protect against the most common strains of the virus.
People are also reminded to take everyday measures to protect themselves from the flu:
• Clean your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Cough and sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve, not your hand
• Clean and disinfect surfaces often, such as countertops, telephones and keyboards; flu viruses can live on surfaces for up to eight hours
In 2015-16, approximately 2,500 participating pharmacies administered more than 869,000 doses of publicly funded influenza vaccine.
The flu vaccine is offered free of charge to anyone over the age of six months who either lives, works, or goes to school in Ontario.
Children and youth between the ages of five and 17 years can get the flu vaccine as an injection or nasal spray at a health care provider’s office, local public health unit or at a participating pharmacy.
Kids under five years of age must get the flu vaccine at a health care provider’s office or participating public health unit.
Former Burlington MPP Jane McKenna got her annual flu shot from Anita Sahu at the Rexall Pharmacy on Guelph Line.
A number of years ago when this program was introduced the Gazette went along to one of the pharmacies giving the free flu shots. Jane McKenna was the MPP at the time. when she arrived at the pharmacy she said hello and asked why I was there and I said I was going to take a picture of her getting her flue shot. “You know they put the needle into your bum – don’t you – and that’s the picture I want. McKenna’s jaw dropped but her daughter, who was with her took the fun out of the comment when she said: “Mom – he’s pulling your leg.”
