Easier than ever to get flu shot

YorkRegion.com
Oct. 23, 2014
Laura Finney

Flu season has begun.

For many, that can mean fevers, chills, muscle aches and headaches, but to others, it can lead to more serious complications.

People with chronic illnesses, children under five and older adults are at risk of developing other illnesses, such as pneumonia, and could require hospitalization.

“The flu can be a serious illness for some people,” said Susan O’Gorman, region  public health branch manager.

Children may also experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, croup, ear infections and sinus infections.

To try and help residents combat this respiratory virus, the region kicked off the annual flu vaccine campaign this morning.

 “It’s important because everybody needs to get protected from the flu,” O’Gorman said.

The theme for the campaign this year is “It’s easier than ever to get your flu shot, get the shot,” and it started with Dr. Karim Kurji, York Region Medical Officer of Health, and Norm Barrette, EMS chief and general manager, rolling up their sleeves for the shot.

So far, there has been minimal flu activity in York Region,  O’Gorman said.

That includes cases of H3N2, the strain that seems to be the most common in Canada this year, according to FluWatch, a flu surveillance program run by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

The three strains included in the shot this year are A/California/7/2009(H1N1)-like virus, A/Texas/50/2012(H3N2)-like virus and B/Massachusetts/2/2012-like virus.

Along with the shots, there are preventative measures you can take to avoid getting sick, including properly and thoroughly washing hands, coughing and sneezing into sleeves, keeping an alcohol based sanitizer at home, work and in the car, staying home if sick and not touching eyes, nose and mouth.

The campaign launch was at the Maple Health Centre.

While it is not mandatory for health care workers to get a shot, Carol Hotchkiss, director of long-term care and seniors services said there is an internal challenge to get 90 per cent of their long-term care staff immunized.

The seasonal flu vaccine will be available at no cost to York Region residents at public health community flu clinics as of Nov. 4.

The vaccine is also available at your family physician’s office, participating workplaces, pharmacies (for individuals older than five years of age), walk-in clinics and other locations offering flu clinics.

For more information, visit york.ca/flu