NEWS RELEASE
PORCUPINE HEALTH UNIT
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It’s time to get your flu shot!
Stéphanie Brunet-Guppy, Public Health Nurse at the Porcupine Health Unit says, “Many people think of influenza as a harmless illness, but it can lead to serious complications.”
This year, the Porcupine Health Unit wants to increase awareness of the need to vaccinate children aged 6 months up to 5 years of age.
Children are considered high risk and often suffer from more severe symptoms of influenza than older children or adults.
Brunet-Guppy encourages all parents to have their children immunized, “The best way to protect your children from influenza is for them to get their annual flu shot.”
She says to get vaccinated early because it generally takes two weeks for your body to produce antibodies which will help protect your child from influenza.
The Canadian Pediatric Society encourages annual influenza vaccination for children 6 months up to 5 years of age who are at high risk of influenza-related complications.
Complications that may occur from the influenza virus include acute ear infections, pneumonia and hospitalization.
Other important ways you can prevent illness include washing your hands, coughing or sneezing into your sleeve or a tissue, keeping commonly touched surfaces clean and staying home if you are sick.
The Porcupine Health Unit will be offering free community influenza clinics to the public from October to November.
Don’t wait; get the flu shot early!
The Porcupine Health Unit is located in Northeastern Ontario, serving the entire Cochrane District and Hornepayne, in Algoma District.
The main office is located in Timmins, Ontario, with branch offices in Cochrane, Hearst, Hornepayne, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, Matheson, Moosonee and Smooth Rock Falls.
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