Southern Health-Santé Sud will be holding seasonal flu clinics throughout the region beginning October 23, 2017 and ending November 18, 2017. Yearly vaccination is one of the best ways to protect yourself, your friends and family from getting the flu.
Influenza, commonly known as “the flu”, is a viral illness caused by the influenza virus that affects many people every year. The virus spreads easily from person to person by direct contact, coughing and sneezing. The flu is different from a common cold virus infection because of its ability to cause serious complications.
The most common symptoms of the flu include: a high fever, sore throat, muscle aches, coughing and feeling tired. These symptoms typically begin two days after exposure to the virus and most last less than a week. The cough, however, may last longer. In children, there can often be nausea and vomiting, which are less common in adults.
“By getting the quadrivalent influenza vaccine, you will have better odds of fighting circulating flu viruses,” says Dr. Michael Routledge, Medical Officer of Health for Southern Health-Santé Sud. “It is important that everyone who is six months of age and older considers getting immunized to protect not only your own health, but also the health of your friends and family”.
An annual flu vaccine is especially important for those at increased risk of serious illness from the flu, their caregivers and close contacts. This includes:
- Seniors age 65 or older
- Residents of personal care homes or long-term care facilities
- Children age six months to five years
- Those with chronic illness
- Pregnant women
- Health care workers and first responders
- Individuals of Aboriginal ancestry
- People who are severely overweight or obese
- or as determined by your primary health care provider
Adults over the age of 65 who have not previously received a pneumococcal vaccine can get one at the same time as the seasonal flu vaccine. Both the flu and pneumococcal vaccine are offered at no charge for people aged 65 and older. The pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against pneumococcal disease, including a serious type of pneumonia, blood infections and meningitis. Most adults only need one pneumococcal vaccine in their lifetime.
To find out where you and your loved ones can get your seasonal flu shot, please view the Southern Health-Santé Sud, Seasonal Flu Clinic Flyer.
For more information about seasonal or H1N1 flu – or to find out if you need a flu shot – contact your health care provider or call Health Links-Info Santé at toll-free 1-888-315-9257 or 788-8200.
