November 17, 2006

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit has become aware of misinformation circulating about who can get the flu vaccine at our upcoming flu clinic in Marathon.

Child under five can get the vaccine at the same time as their parents.  The Health Unit will provide the vaccine to anyone who is one year old and up.

Influenza vaccine is free for all Ontario residents. The following high risk populations are urged to receive it:

·        everyone 65 years of age or over

·        anyone with chronic heart, lung or kidney disease

·        all emergency service workers i.e., firefighters (including volunteer firefighters), police, and ambulance staff.

·        anyone with diabetes, cancer, a blood disorder, or an immune problem

·        anyone who works in a health care facility.

·        children and adolescents (aged 6 months - 18 years) treated for long periods with acetylsalicylic acid

The general public are also encouraged to be vaccinated to reduce sick time and avoid spreading the illness to any of the above groups.

There are some people who should not receive the vaccine:

·        Anyone with a severe allergy to eggs

·        Anyone who has had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose of influenza vaccine

·        Infants under six months of age (children six months to one year to be done by their doctor)

·        People ill with a fever should delay immunization until after recovery

·        Persons who have had Occular Respiratory Syndrome (red-eye syndrome) within 24 hours of receiving a previous dose of influenza vaccine should consult their family doctor

·        Persons with a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome should consult their doctor.

The clinic will be held on Tuesday, November 21 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at the Marathon High School.

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