Flu Season

The North Bay & District Health Unit is preparing for Flu season and announced thier October Clinic dates.

This year’s vaccine will combat the A Fujian strain

Further details are included in the following news release sent out today by the The North Bay & District Health Unit:

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INFLENZA IMMUNIZATION IMPORTANT IN PERSONAL PROTECTION, PREVENTION OF MORE SERIOUS ILLNESS


The North Bay & District Health Unit recommends that people of all ages have an annual immunization to protect against influenza. The influenza immunization is free to all Ontario residents, and the Health Unit offers clinics in-house and around the district to make it easy for people to get the immunization.

According to Sheila Marchant-Short, manager of the Infectious Diseases team at the Health Unit, “We encourage everyone to get their influenza immunization early in the season. It reduces the risk of getting more serious viral illnesses, and helps to prevent the spread of illness from one person to another.”

Marchant-Short points out that there are other steps everyone can take during the influenza and common cold season to reduce their risk of illness. Thorough handwashing with soap and water is one of the best defenses against germs. When a person has symptoms, she says it’s prudent to reduce contact with elderly people, patients in hospital, or people with weakened immune systems.

Nipissing MPP Monique Smith will show her support for the universal influenza vaccine by attending the October 16 clinic at the Health Unit to receive her influenza immunization.

Marchant-Short noted that this year’s vaccine contains antigens that provide protection against the A Fujian strain, which was detected for the first time last year. She said that, while influenza immunization does not provide absolute protection for everyone, there’s no doubt that it dramatically reduces the risk of illness due to influenza. In the 2003-04 influenza season, the Health Unit found that about 60 per cent of the 121 people with confirmed influenza A had not been immunized.

To encourage people to get their influenza immunization early, the Health Unit’s clinic schedule offers many choices in October. Clinics are also scheduled in November, December and January. The full clinic schedule is available at the Health Unit and on the web at www.nbdhu.on.ca. As well, a recorded message is available at 474-1400, ext 485 to inform the public about clinic dates.

Bonfield Agridome, 113 Trunk Rd
October 13, 2 to 4 pm

North Bay & District Health Unit
681 Commercial St, North Bay
October 14, 21 and 28, 10 am to 6 pm
October 16 and 30, 10 am to 4 pm

Sturgeon Falls Age d’or
October 18, 1 to 7 pm

Port Loring Argyle Public School
October 20, 1 to 3 pm

River Valley Ecole Christ-Roi
October 22, 10 to 11 am

Field Paroisse Notre Dame des Victoires
October 22, 1 to 2 pm

Verner Club de l’amitié
October 25, 1 to 3 pm

Redbridge Phelps & District Golden Age Centre
October 26, 10 am to noon

Mattawa Golden Age Club
October 27, 2 to 6 pm

Callander Royal Canadian Legion
October 29, 1 to 3 pm

Questions about influenza may be directed to the Vaccine Preventable Diseases team at 474-1400, ext 252.