It took until Oct. 14, but the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit announces the first influenza case in the Northumberland County-Haliburton County-City of Kawartha Lakes region for the 2022-2023 flu season.
The flu season generally runs from late fall to early spring and, as a precaution, the health unit is reminding residents not to take unnecessary risks with their health. Residents are encouraged to get the flu shot as soon as they are eligible and the vaccine is available.
There are several ways to get the shot.
Dozens of pharmacies in the HKPR region can offer the vaccine to anyone aged two and older, as well as high-dose vaccines for those aged 65 and older. Visit www.hkpr.on.ca for a complete list of pharmacies providing the vaccine.
People should contact their primary care providers to see about getting the vaccine – in fact, children aged six months to two years can only get a flu shot from a doctor, nurse practitioner or local health unit.
The health unit is providing immunization clinics for children under age five who do not have a family doctor. This is by appointment only, and you can schedule a time by calling 1-866-888-4577 ext. 1507.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Natalie Bocking said in the announcement that vaccinating against the flu is especially important this fall.
“Preventing the flu will not only protect individual health and the health of families and communities, but it will also stop further strain on our health-care system, which is already stretched due to COVID-19,” Dr. Bocking said.
Most residents can get a flu shot at the same time – or before or after – a COVID-19 vaccine. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization currently recommends that children aged six months to five years of age wait at least 14 days between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 vaccines to avoid any potential of adverse events.
To help stop the spread of the flu and COVID-19, the health unit recommends the measures with which we have all become familiar over the past two years – wear a mask, maintain physical distancing, wash hands thoroughly and often, sneeze and cough into your sleeves, and stay home from work and school if you are feeling unwell.
