Hastings Prince Edward Public Health is urging all residents to stay up to date on their influenza vaccinations after confirming its first case of influenza in the region.
Flu vaccines are available from health care providers or at pharmacies and HPEPH clinics and reduce the risk of severe illness, and helps protect the vulnerable, and our health care system.
In a public advisory, the HPE health unit said it has received laboratory confirmation of the first case of Influenza A for the 2023-24 flu season, reinforcing the importance of getting up to date with the annual influenza shot.
Influenza causes mild to severe illness and can lead to serious health complications, even in healthy children and adults. The influenza vaccine is available free of charge to anyone in Ontario over the age of six months.
“Getting an annual influenza vaccination and updated COVID-19 vaccine is the best and easiest way to protect yourself, your loved ones, the vulnerable, and our health care system this respiratory season,” said Dr. Ethan Toumishey, MOH and CEO at HPEPH.
“Contact your local health care provider or a local pharmacy to get the flu shot as soon as possible, to help build your immunity before local rates of infection start to spike.”
With the knowledge that COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory viruses are circulating in the community, residents are reminded to:
- Stay up to date with immunizations for flu, COVID-19 and RSV if eligible.
- Stay home when you are sick and keep your children home if they are sick.
- Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces, and when recovering from illness. If you are attending a busy gathering or interacting with others, wearing a mask will reduce your risk of unknowingly spreading an infection to those you love. If you are recovering from illness, it is especially important to wear a mask for 10 days after your symptoms started.
- Wash your hands often, clean high touch surfaces frequently, and cough or sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue.
- Protect our health care services. Doing what you can to limit the spread of illness will help ensure our health care workers are available for those who need them most.
For more flu information and clinics log on to hpePublicHealth.ca/influenza-clinic or for COVID-19 vaccination information, log on to hpePublicHealth.ca/vaccine-booking.
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