People in Midwestern Ontario can now get their flu shots.
People can receive their vaccine through their healthcare provider and local participating pharmacies.
With flu season taking place this year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, people who get the influenza vaccine can help reduce the load on the healthcare system.
The Grey Bruce Health Unit said the flu shot not only protects you, it helps protect those around you! Healthcare workers, household contacts of those at high-risk and/or those who provide care to those under five are capable of spreading flu to this high-risk population.
Where to get the flu vaccine:
Six months to four years old
-Your doctor or nurse practitioner at your regular medical office; pharmacies do not offer flu vaccine to children under 5 years
-If you are not rostered with a medical office, please contact the Grey Bruce Health Unit to make an appointment with us
Five to 64 years old
-Your doctor or nurse practitioner at your regular medical office
-Local participating pharmacy
65 years and older
-Your doctor or nurse practitioner at your regular medical office
-Local participating pharmacy
For the 2020/2021 season, if you're 65 and older, there are two different flu shots available; standard-dose and high-dose. Do not wait for a particular product. Both the standard-dose and high-dose vaccines contain effective strains for people over the age of 65. The most important thing is for seniors to not delay, but get protected.
Those at high-risk are more vulnerable to complications from flu. That includes: -babies under six months are too young to get the flu shot, but they'll get some protection if their parent got the flu shot while they were pregnant -children under five years of age, because their immune systems are developing, and their airways are small and more easily blocked -people 65 years old and older, because their immune systems are weaker and they are more likely to have an underlying condition that increases their risk -pregnant people, because their immune system, heart and lungs change, especially later in pregnancy, making them more likely to get seriously ill from the flu -people with underlying health conditions, such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes
