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Influenza season has officially arrived in the Kawartha Lakes/Northumberland regions courtesy of the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s (HKPR) first confirmed case.
The HKPR is encouraging residents to protect themselves and others by getting their flu shot after reporting its first case of influenza for the 2022-23 season on Friday, Oct. 14.
Although the last two years have been relatively “flu-free,” medical officer of health Dr. Natalie Bocking notes this is likely due to the public safety restrictions put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. With these restrictions no longer in place comes the increased potential of cases.
To further stop the spread of the flu, and COVID-19, it is recommended people wear a mask, physically distance, wash their hands thoroughly and often, sneeze and cough into their sleeves, and stay home from work and school if they are sick.
Flu season typically runs from late fall to early spring. Residents are encouraged to get a flu shot as soon as they become eligible, and the vaccine is available.
“Vaccination against influenza is especially important this fall,” said Bocking. “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.”
Locally, there are many ways to get the flu vaccine:
• Dozens of pharmacies in Haliburton County, Northumberland County and the City of Kawartha Lakes can provide a flu shot to anyone two years of age and older. High-dose flu vaccines for people 65 years of age and older are also available at pharmacies. A complete list of local pharmacy locations providing flu vaccines is available at www.hkpr.on.ca.
• People should contact their primary care provider to see about getting the flu vaccine. Children six months to two years old can only get their flu shot from a doctor, nurse practitioner or local public health unit.
• The health unit is currently providing immunization clinics for children under the age of five years who do not have a family doctor. Clinics are by appointment only by calling 1-866-888-4577, ext. 1507.
Most residents can get the flu vaccine at the same time as or before or after a COVID-19 vaccine. Children six months to five years of age need to wait at least 14 days between COVID-19 vaccines and non-COVID vaccines, to avoid attributing any potential adverse events.
