- Samantha Geddes
CALL TO BOOK YOUR FLU SHOT TODAY :)!
Updated: Oct 20, 2020
AVAILABLE IN YOUR LOCAL HEALTH CLINIC NOW! - - - - The influenza vaccine is available for all individuals six months of age and older who live, work or go to school in Ontario, especially groups at high risk and those capable of transmitting influenza to them. To reduce the risk of severe illness that could potentially arise from co-infection with COVID-19 and influenza, individuals who are at high risk of severe COVID-19 related illness or those capable of transmitting influenza to those at high risk of severe and critical illness related to COVID-19 are particularly recommended to receive the influenza vaccine this fall. Per the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), individuals in the following four groups are particularly recommended to receive the influenza vaccine as soon as it becomes available starting in early October:
1. Individuals at high risk of influenza-related complications or who are more likely to require hospitalization:
All pregnant women
People who are residents of nursing homes or other chronic care facilities
People ≥ 65 years of age
All children 6 to 59 months of age
Indigenous peoples
Adults or children 6 months of age and over with chronic health conditions as follows:
Cardiac or pulmonary disorders
Diabetes mellitus or other metabolic disease
Cancer
Conditions or medication which compromise the immune system (due to underlying disease, therapy or both)
Renal disease
Anemia or hemoglobinopathy
Neurologic or neurodevelopmental conditions
Morbid obesity (body mass index of ≥ 40)
Children and adolescents (6 months to 18 years) undergoing treatment with acetylsalicylic acid for long periods
2. Individuals capable of transmitting influenza to those listed in #1 and/or to infants under 6 months of age:
Health care workers and other care providers in facilities and community settings
Household contacts (adults and children) of individuals at high risk of influenza related complications
Persons who provide care to children ≤ 59 months of age
Members of a household expecting a newborn during the influenza season
Those who provide services within a closed or relatively closed setting to persons at high risk (e.g., crew on a ship)
3. People who provide essential community services
4. Poultry industry workers
AS ALWAYS, STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE Universal Travel Health