HURON-PERTH – Huron-Perth Public Health (HPPH) encourages all residents six months of age and older to get their influenza vaccine (‘flu shot’) this fall.
Ontario’s Universal Influenza Immunization Program launched Nov. 1, which means the vaccine will now be widely available in Huron and Perth.
“The influenza virus can cause severe respiratory illness. Getting the vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from getting influenza,” says Lorna Askes, public health nurse.
Similar to previous years, this year’s influenza immunizations will be available through several providers. Residents can get their influenza immunization at:
Primary Care Provider’s office (family doctor or nurse practitioner): for those ages six months and older. Contact your primary care provider’s office for information on how to get the vaccine.
Pharmacies: for those ages two and older. Contact your local pharmacy for more information.
Huron-Perth Public Health Clinics: for families with children six months to less than two years of age who do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner. The Health Unit is offering two clinics in November:
Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, 3-6 p.m. | Huron Perth Public Health, 653 West Gore St., Stratford
Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, 3-6 p.m. | Jacob Memorial Building, 77722D London Rd., Clinton
An appointment is needed. Book your appointment online at www.hpph.ca/flu or by calling our booking line at 1-833-753-2098.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) now recommends that COVID-19 vaccines may be given at the same time as, or any time before or after, other vaccines including live, non-live, adjuvanted, and non-adjuvanted vaccines.
The influenza vaccine does not protect against other viruses, such as norovirus (the ‘stomach flu’), or coronavirus, but it does protect against severe illness from the influenza virus.
It is important to get your influenza vaccine and continue to follow public health measures to protect yourself and those around you, especially at this time of year as gatherings move indoors with cooler weather.
To help stop the spread of influenza in the community, HPPH advises all residents to continue to: Maintain physical distance, wash hands with soap or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer, thoroughly and often, cough or sneeze into your sleeve, keep surfaces and items disinfected, and stay home if you are sick.
