Health unit urging people to get their flu shots early
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is urging everyone over the age of six months to get their flu shot as the flu season is upon us. Last year, Windsor and Essex County saw 304 lab-confirmed cases and eight deaths as a result of influenza. The year before, there were 160 lab-confirmed cases and six deaths.
“The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from influenza and its related complications is to get your annual influenza vaccination,” medical officer of health Dr. Wajid Ahmed said in a news release.
“The flu vaccine usually takes up to two weeks to work, so it is highly recommended to get the vaccine early, at the beginning of the flu season.”
For the first time this year, adults 65 and over have the option of getting a high-dose vaccine at no charge.
The high-dose vaccine provides additional protection against the strains of the flu virus that are most likely to cause illness in the senior age group.
Those over 65 are asked to talk to their doctor about which vaccine is best for them.
The health unit is offering a public influenza drop-in clinic at the University of Windsor CAW Student Centre commons on Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The vaccine is also available from your family physician, nurse practitioner, walk-in clinics and at participating pharmacies for those five years of age and older. Anyone can get influenza, which is a respiratory infection caused by the flu virus and spread easily when someone with it coughs, sneezes or talks. You can pass it to others even before you know you are sick. Symptoms include fever, chills, cough, headache, muscle aches, runny nose and tiredness.
The flu can result in very serious illness especially in young children, older adults, pregnant women and those with chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, asthma and diabetes. Each year, the circulating strains of the flu virus change and the vaccine is developed to match the most common strains, which is why it is important to get the vaccine every year.
The vaccine is safe — reactions are usually mild and may include redness, soreness and swelling at the injection site.
The vaccine contains a weakened or inactivated form of the virus so the vaccine cannot give someone the flu.
In addition to the flu vaccine the best ways to protect yourself from the flu are to wash your hands regularly, stay hydrated, eat a balanced diet and get plenty of rest and exercise, the heath unit recommends.
Also keep areas that many people touch clean because the virus can live for several hours on surfaces such as doorknobs.