Staff
The Northwestern Health Unit once again is administering free ’flu shots.
Starting this year, the public can book ’flu shot appointments online at www.nwhu.on.ca
They also can make an appointment by calling 1-866-468-2240.
The health unit will be holding community ’flu clinics across the region between Oct. 20 and Nov. 13.
In Fort Frances, ’flu shot clinics will be held at the Northwestern Health Unit office on Monday, Oct. 27, Friday, Oct. 31, Thursday, Nov. 6, Friday, Nov. 7, and Thursday, Nov. 13.
’Flu shots still will be available by appointment after this time, but the health unit advises it is best to be vaccinated as soon as possible in the fall.
For general inquiries, questions, or assistance with the online booking system, contact your local health unit office (274-9827).
A ’flu shot protects you, your loved ones, and everyone around you.
The health unit reccomends the ’flu vaccine for nearly everyone—even healthy adults. Among elderly people and people with chronic diseases, the ’flu vaccine can prevent complications that otherwise might kill them.
Serious complications include pneumonia, kidney failure, and heart failure.
Between 500 and 1,500 people in Canada die from influenza every year.
For younger healthy people, the ’flu vaccine is important for several reasons:
•to prevent transmitting the ’flu to someone who is at high risk for complications;
•to prevent transmitting the ’flu to your household and workplaces;
•to avoid lost time from work; and
•to prevent the personal distress and disruption of having the ’flu.
A new shot is required each year because there are several types of influenza virus, and the viruses mutate or change over time.
A new vaccine is developed each year to protect people against the ’flu virus that is most likely to cause disease in Canada for the coming winter.
It takes two weeks to develop full immunity to the ’flu and protection lasts up to one year.
You cannot get the ’flu from the vaccine—it does not contain live virus.
