November 15, 2007 - At the halfway point of the flu clinic season, the Health Unit is urging adults who are caring for children, the elderly or the ill, to make the flu shot a priority “before” flu activity appears in the District.  

Reports of influenza activity usually start in late November or early December and originate from long term care homes and hospitals where patients most vulnerable to the disease  –  the elderly and the ill –  are housed. Once influenza is reported in a community, the disease spreads easily from person to person, making everyone susceptible to the disease. That is why the Health Unit wants anyone who has contact with children, seniors or those who are ill, to do their part in protecting these groups from the harm the flu can cause.

“The flu is more dangerous than people think. It is still a leading cause of death in Canada due to an infectious disease because it attacks the elderly and the weak,” said Darlene Binette, Manager of Infectious Diseases.

“Before the flu emerges in the District, we are asking those looking after their children or elderly parents, or who work in hospitals, long term care homes, schools and daycares, to please get the flu shot to help prevent it from hurting these vulnerable groups.”

Health Canada reports that 4,000 to 8,000 people die from the flu or its complications (such as pneumonia) each year. Although influenza activity across the nation remains low, the start of holiday gatherings where people are in close contact with each other is usually when the reports of flu activity start coming into the Health Unit.

The Health Unit has administered approximately thirteen thousand (13,000) flu shots to area residents since community flu clinics began on October 22, 2007. Its flu clinics are running in the community until December 19th.  Anyone over one year of age is eligible to receive a free flu shot from the Health Unit. Upcoming flu clinics for this week and next are scheduled for:

• Friday, November 16, Confederation College, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.,
• Monday, November 19, MacGregor Community Centre, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Monday, November 19, North McIntyre Community Centre, 5 p.m. – 7
• Wednesday, November 21, Evangel Church, 1:30 p.m – 5:30 p.m.

For more clinics, please call the Health Unit’s Flu Line at 624-9082 or visit tbdhu.com/flu.  

Flu shots are recommended to anyone over six months of age and are also available from family physicians, nurse practitioners, walk in clinics and some pharmacies.

Regardless of whether or not you have had a flu shot, take these steps to stop the spread of infections during flu season:

• frequently wash your hands (15 to 20 seconds with soap and water)
• stay home when you are ill;
• keep your children home when they are ill;
• cough and sneeze into your shirt sleeve, not your hands; and
• eat nutritious foods, exercise and get plenty of rest (these improve your immune system).

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