The Hastings and Prince Edward Medical Officer of Health is recommending the traditional flu shots, not the nasal spray.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Richard Schabas reported to the board Wednesday on the use of the nasal spray – or flu mist.
He said it was a preferred product last year but over the summer concerns had been raised in the United States concerning the effectiveness of the aerosol.
Schabas says “most healthy children are not at serious risk of influenza” but says if they are getting shots it should be by injection.
The health unit will be starting its flu immunization program later this month.
Boys will now get HPV shots
The program to provide HPV vaccine to young students in the Quinte area has been expanded.
The Hastings and Prince Edward Board of Health is now immunizing both boys and girls in grade seven against the Human Papiloma Virus.
Spokesman Bill Sherlock says it makes sense to provide the vaccine to boys since it is a “skin to skin” virus and is often associated with sexual contact.
Also, the vaccine is now available to some high risk populations under the age of 26.
Sherlock also told the board Wednesday that the Shingles vaccine is now available free of charge to people between the ages of 65 and 71.
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