The Manitoulin Island COVID-19 Leadership Coordination Committee is encouraging everyone in the district to get their flu shots this year.
At the committee’s 15th session held last week, leaders welcomed health officials from Public Health Sudbury & Districts who spoke about the influenza vaccine becoming available to the public via health care providers and PHSD offices, including the office in Mindemoya.
Health care providers will make arrangements to pick up their vaccines from public health after Oct. 13. Appointments will be required to get an influenza vaccine.
Participating pharmacies will also administer the vaccine. Pharmacies receive their vaccines directly from the manufacturer, and public health has no control over these timelines.
“PHSD is aware that the public is anxious to hear information about potentially being permitted to uphold Halloween traditions,” the committee said in a release.
“The unit will review the COVID-19 situation in the coming weeks and the committee will provide more information after the Oct. 20th meeting.”
As Thanksgiving approaches and COVID-19 cases are on the rise, the committee is encouraging everyone to be mindful the area still remains in a pandemic. The public should maintain all COVID-19 safety protocols going into the long weekend.
The leadership committee also heard from a representative of the Rainbow District School Board at its latest session, who provided leaders with insight into the safe operation procedures established at newly reopened schools.
“Leaders would like to thank the teachers for their hard work and encourage students to keep themselves motivated and positive until this pandemic is behind us.”
The next committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 20.