Friday, October 31, 2014
Elgin St Thomas Public Health
Keeping our Community Healthy and Safe
Elgin St. Thomas Pubic Health encourages parents, caregivers, and those providing support to our community to keep their loved ones safe from influenza by getting the flu shot.
Many people understand that the elderly are at high risk of serious illness or even death as a result of influenza but, what they may not realize, is that young children age 5 years and under, are also considered a high risk group. Influenza spreads through coughing, sneezing, or direct contact with common household items like toys and eating utensils.
In any influenza season, the highest number of cases occurs in children between ages one and four years. During the 2013-2014 influenza season in Elgin St. Thomas, 50% of children under the age of 5 years who were tested for and diagnosed with influenza, had to be hospitalized because of their illness and its complications. Dr. Eric Hoskins, the Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, quotes “We want all Ontarians to stay healthy this flu season. Getting your flu shot is the easiest and most effective way to keep you, your family and your community healthy. It’s easy to get from your doctor or nurse practitioner’s office, a public health unit clinic, a workplace clinic and, for those five and older, at a participating pharmacy. Get it every year.”
Annual flu shots are the best way to protect yourself and your family from this illness. The sooner your family is vaccinated the better, since the vaccine takes about two weeks to become fully effective. Children over 6 months of age can get their flu shot at doctors' offices and at public health immunization clinics. Children under 6 months cannot get the flu shot so other family members should be vaccinated to protect them.
It’s not too late to vaccinate. Come to our next flu clinic conveniently located at the Elgin Mall, 417 Wellington Street, St. Thomas, ON - Saturday, November 1, 2014 from 9 am until 2 pm. For more information call 519-631-9900 ext 1414 or visit www.elginhealth.on.ca/flu. Get the Shot and protect those vulnerable in our community together.
Media Contact:
Cathie Walker
Director of Health Protection
519-631-9900 ext 1223
cwalker@elginhealth.on.ca
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