It's flu season, and the most recent statistics from the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit indicate a total of 11 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza in the district.
There are nine confirmed cases of Influenza A and two confirmed cases of Influenza B. Many people don't get tested which means the numbers could potentially be higher.
The health unit tracks the lab numbers during influenza season which currently runs from September 2017 to August 2018.
A number of clinics have already been held, including those in outlying areas, but this was the first Saturday clinic for North Bay.
While there are a number of things that can be done to prevent the spread of influenza, health care experts maintain getting the flu shot is the best defence against influenza.
"You can wash your hands, stay home when you're sick, and cough or sneeze into your sleeve, but getting the flu shot is the best defence because it protects yourself and people around you," said Elizabeth Mete, Public Health Nurse Vaccine Preventable Diseases program.
'It's too early to accurately say whether or not the strains that are circulating are the ones that are in the vaccine. There is strain A and strain B in the vaccine this year."
The influenza vaccine is recommended for children as young as six months of age, up to seniors.
"It is recommended that those people who are most vulnerable, anyone who is immuno compromised, any children, any people who are working with the public, pregnant women and elderly people get the shot. The only people who shouldn't get the flu shot are those with a severe allergy to a component of the vaccine. That doesn't include an egg allergy like it used to, it has been removed. So if you have a severe anaphylactic egg allergy you can still get the flu shot," said Mete.
Experts say It's never too late to late to get the flu shot.
"It takes about ten days to two weeks for the vaccine to start working. So that's where the myth comes in to play that you get your flu shot and then you get sick right after. Because it does take two weeks for those anti-bodies to start working, you were going to get sick anyway regardless if you got your flu shot or not within those two weeks," said Mete.
One client who attended Saturday's clinic said she makes it a point to get a flu shot every year.
"I think that anybody that can get one, and is thinking of other people, should get one to stay as healthy as possible. My mother got terribly sick and I knew the flu bug was the last thing she would need, so I've done it for the last 15 years. I find it makes a difference."
As a young father, Joshua Rhodenizer got his flu shot to protect his family.
"To be honest, I never used to get the flu vaccine. When we had our daughter, I just thought it was important for her sake and everyone around me that I get vaccinated. It doesn't cost anything, it was really convenient so I just said 'why not?'. There's really nothing to it and it's pain free."
Flu shots are available from your local pharmacist, family doctor, nurse practitioner or the health unit.
For a complete flu clinic schedule go to myhealthunit.ca/flushot
