Time to Get Your Flu Shot!
Written by Communications, November 1, 2019
First Local Influenza Case of the Season Reported
This year’s flu season is off to an early start as Peterborough Public Health is reporting the first lab-confirmed case of seasonal influenza in our area just as the flu shot is being widely distributed throughout the community.
“With this lab-confirmed case we have confirmation that seasonal influenza is circulating in our community, about a month earlier than last year,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “This is just the tip of the iceberg as usually there are more cases of influenza in the community than are reported by the lab, so now is the time for residents get their flu shot to protect themselves and others.”
Last year the first lab-confirmed influenza case was reported on December 3, 2018.
Dr. Salvaterra noted that this year’s first lab-confirmed case is the influenza A strain. The flu shot protects against several types of both influenza A and B strains.
The flu shot is free and recommended for everyone over six months of age. It is especially important for people with a weakened immune system, pregnant women, young children, the elderly and anyone who takes care of people in these groups.
Flu shots are widely available at many local pharmacies, from physician/nurse practitioner offices, and local walk-in clinics. Peterborough Public Health is also holding flu shot clinics following dates for families with children under five as pharmacies are not able to immunize children under five years of age:
Thursday, November 14 – 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 18 – 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 16 – 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
To book an appointment, please call 705-743-1000, ext. 154. For a listing of pharmacies offering free flu shots, visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/flu.
Dr. Salvaterra advised that in addition to getting the flu shot people take the following precautions to reduce the spread of infection:
- Stay home if feeling unwell
- Wash your hands frequently
- Clean and sanitize commonly-used surfaces frequently
- Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or tissue and wash hands afterwards
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For further information, please contact:
Kaitlin Burnside, RN
Public Health Nurse
705-743-1000, ext. 378