It’s Easier This Year to Get the Flu Shot!
Written by admin, October 15, 2013
October 15, 2013 – Pharmacies Providing Free Flu Shots to Everyone Over 5 Years; Public Health Offering By-Appointment Clinics For Families with Young Children; Healthcare Providers Offering Flu Shots to Patients
Getting the flu shot this year just got a whole lot easier for local residents to help them ward off the virus that causes thousands of deaths annually among Canada’s most vulnerable populations.
“Now that pharmacies can give flu shots to their clients, it’s great to see so many local pharmacies step up to offer the vaccine on demand and in more locations across the city and county for residents,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health at Peterborough Public Health. “The flu vaccine remains the most effective way to prevent the virus from spreading, and with the flu season fast approaching, we want as many people immunized as possible because influenza can be life-threatening for seniors, young children and other vulnerable populations.”
Dozens of local pharmacies throughout the City and County of Peterborough will be offering free flu shots to anyone over the age of five years old. In communities where flu vaccine is not available at pharmacies, Public Health is running free public flu shot clinics for all ages as follows:
- Buckhorn: Tuesday, November 26, 2013 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Buckhorn Community Centre, 1801 Lakehurst Road, Buckhorn
- Millbrook: Thursday, November 28, 2013, from 2:00-6:00 p.m. at the Cavan-Monaghan Township Office Gymnasium, 988 County Road 10, Millbrook
People can easily find out where the nearest pharmacy or flu clinic is by visiting the online Flu Clinic Locator at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca or by calling Public Health at 705-743-1000.
For families with young children, or for those who are unable to access a pharmacy or healthcare provider for a flu shot, Public Health is offering two Saturday clinics, by appointment only, each month in November, December and January. All clinics will take place at 185 King Street in Peterborough, and parking is free. To book an appointment, please call 705-743-1000, ext. 349.
2013-2014 Clinic Schedule:
Saturday, November 23, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Saturday, November 30, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Saturday, December 14, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Saturday, December 21, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Saturday, January 4, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Saturday, January 18, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon
The flu vaccine is also available from local healthcare providers for their rostered patients.
Influenza can result in widespread illness, including outbreaks and pandemics. It is associated with complications such as bacterial pneumonia and death. According to the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), each season 20% of health care workers get influenza, and 28% to 59% of young healthy adults who get it have asymptomatic or subclinical infections. Some of them may shed virus up to a day before symptoms appear. NACI considers the provision of influenza vaccination for HCWs who have direct patient contact to be an essential component of the standard of care for the protection of their patients. Annual immunization of people at high risk, and of health care workers and others, who are capable of transmitting influenza to those at risk, is the most effective measure for reducing the impact of influenza.
For further information about this year’s clinic schedule, visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca or call 705-743-1000.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
705-743-1000, ext. 391