Hastings Prince Edward Public Health is urging residents to keep up to date on their vaccinations after the first confirmed case of influenza in the area this season.
Public Health reports it has received a lab confirmed case of Influenza A.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ethan Toumishey says getting the latest influenza and COVID-19 vaccines is the easiest way to protect yourself, your loved ones, the vulnerable, and our health care system this winter.
He says influenza causes mild to severe illness and can lead to serious health complications, even in healthy children and adults.
The influenza vaccine is available free of charge to anyone in Ontario over the age of six months.
On Monday, the province’s chief medical health officer Dr. Kieran Moore suggested this is a key week for Ontarians to get vaccinated against COVID and the flu since immunization takes up to 14 days to take effect and both viruses are set to peak over the holiday season.
Dr. Moore says he is not planning on implementing any public health measures right now even though cases are on the rise but will continue with “risk communication.”
Locally, flu vaccines are available from health care providers or at pharmacies and HPEPH clinics.
Visit the HPEPH website for more information:
- Respiratory dashboard – hpePublicHealth.ca/respiratory-update
- Respiratory illness – hpePublicHealth/respiratory-illness
- Flu information and clinics – hpePublicHealth.ca/influenza-clinic
- COVID-19 vaccination – hpePublicHealth.ca/vaccine-booking
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