By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON.
January 8th, 2014
The Province, the Region, the city and even the local drug store – all want you to get your flu shot – and do it now. While the incidence of flu in Ontario is not high – it is surprisingly high in Alberta and British Columbia, and the stuff travels.
The flu shot is free – and it doesn’t hurt THAT much.
The Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ontario, Dr. Arlene King, is reminding Ontarians to protect themselves from influenza by getting the flu shot. She stresses the importance of getting immunized – particularly with an increased proportion of laboratory confirmed cases of the 2009 H1N1 flu virus in the province and across the country this year.
This strain of influenza affects people of all ages, but children under five and those age 20 to 64 years old appear to be most susceptible. To date, children under five appear to be most at risk of hospitalization. Deaths have been reported in adults and the elderly.
The flu vaccine is safe and the best way to keep you and the people around you healthy during the flu season.
The Region announced today that that the last two regularly scheduled influenza (flu) immunization clinics will be held on Wednesday, January 8 and Wednesday January 15, both from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the auditorium at the Halton Regional Centre in Oakville.
The H1N1 influenza virus is currently circulating in Halton and this strain of virus is included in this season’s vaccine. It is not too late to get your flu shot to protect yourself and to prevent spreading the virus. Residents can still get their flu immunization from many pharmacies, clinics and doctors’ offices.
The free flu vaccine is available at doctors’ offices and is also available for those five and older through specially trained pharmacists at close to 2,000 pharmacies across Ontario – three times as many pharmacies as last year. Rexall pharmacies in Burlington offer the service as well as others.
