The message that influenza immunizations help curb illness seems to be spreading in the region as the Northwestern Health Unit reported the number of people getting their ’flu shots has jumped dramatically this year.
“As of Oct. 31, 2003, we’ve distributed 23,559 doses in our catchment area, which includes 11 communities—as far east as Atikokan, up north to Red Lake, over to Kenora, covering Ignace, Dryden, Ear Falls, and, of course, the Rainy River District,” said public health nurse Cindy McKinnon.
“More locally, in our immediate area—Emo, Fort Frances, Rainy River—we’ve distributed 6,668 doses,” she added. “Those have gone to doctors, health units, clinics, long-term care facilities, and hospitals.
“For the Northwestern Health Unit, we’ve administered 2,501 doses at the immunization clinics.
“At this same time last year, that number was 655. That means we’ve administered almost four times as many,” noted McKinnon. “The clinics have been very busy. We’ve seen an increase right across Northwestern Ontario.”
Of the 2,501 doses administered by the health unit as of Oct. 31, 560 have been done in Fort Frances, 238 in Emo, and 210 in Rainy River.
The health unit will continue to hold influenza immunization clinics for the public at various locations through Dec. 4.
The next one is slated this Friday (Nov. 7) from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the health unit’s office in Emo. A reminder this is by appointment only.
An open ’flu shot clinic will be held at Robert Moore School here next Monday (Nov. 10) from 3-7 p.m. No appointment is necessary for this one, and those attending are asked to wear a short-sleeved shirt.
Children should be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
For more information, or the dates and times of future clinics, contact the health unit at 274-9827.
Here are some facts about influenza from the health unit:
•The viruses that cause the ’flu change often, therefore a new shot is required every year for protection;
•Adults and children over nine require one dose annually, but those under nine require two doses of the influenza vaccine, with an interval of four weeks between doses.
(But the second dose is not needed if the child received one or more doses of the vaccine in a previous season);
•The incubation time for the ’flu virus is from when a person is exposed to someone else with it until symptoms show for one-three days (an infected person is contagious before getting the symptoms);
•The influenza vaccine works by stimulating your immune system to produce antibodies. After two weeks, your body should have enough antibodies to protect you against the ’flu (it will not prevent colds or other respiratory viruses);
•The ’flu vaccine cannot give you the ’flu—it is not a live vaccine. It is safe for all age groups over six months old;
•The vaccine should not be given to anyone with severe allergies to eggs or egg products, thimerosol, neomycin, and gelatin;
•The possible side-effects of vaccination are soreness at the site of vaccination, which may last up to two days. Fever and fatigue also may occur within six-12 hours, which can be eased with acetaminophen;
•Your immune system will not weaken if you get a ’flu shot every year. And while a healthy lifestyle can support your defence system in general, it can never protect you from a specific infectious agent (bacteria or virus); and
•The ’flu vaccine contains no human or animal cells. Viral vaccines are grown in cells derived from animals or humans but during purification of the vaccine, all cells are removed.
According to the health unit, the vaccine is quite effective. When there is a good match between the ’flu vaccine and circulating influenza strains, the vaccine is roughly 70-90 percent effective in preventing influenza among healthy people less than 65 years of age.
Among older persons, influenza vaccine is less effective in preventing influenza but it significantly reduces the likelihood of developing complications of influenza, such as pneumonia, (50–60 percent), hospitalizations (50-60 percent), and death (85 percent).
(Fort Frances Times)
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
