Quinte area public health officials are urging members of the public to get their flu shots this month.
Hastings Prince Edward Board of Health Medical Officer of Health Dr. Piotr Oglaza says cases of influenza “spike in the middle of December.”
Oglaza says clinics are being held this month and it takes two weeks for the vaccine to get working.
He says people 65 years and older, and those with obstructive pulmonary disease and heart disease are at particular risk.
He points to caregivers as well.
Oglaza says it’s too early to predict what strains of flu will be prevalent this year.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Piotr Oglaza administers a flu shot to Quinte West Councillor Karen Sharpe, November d7, 2018 (Photo Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Grade seven students are offered three vaccines through the public program, Hepatitis B, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and meningococcal (MCV4).
Vaccination rates for Hepatitis B have jumped from 59% to 81%, and Meningococcal rates increased from 83% to 93%.
For HPV the story was different; the rate only increased from 49% to 67%, 23% lower than the provincial target.
