Protect Yourself from Flu This Winter; Many Locations in Area Now Providing Free Flu Vaccines

PORT HOPE, ON (November 8, 2021) - While COVID-19 may be top of mind for many, residents are being encouraged to get vaccinated against another seasonal illness that will soon be here.

Influenza season is on the horizon, and to better protect yourself against the flu this fall and winter, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit encourages people to get their free flu vaccine. Locally, there are many different ways to get the flu vaccine:

• Dozens of pharmacies in Haliburton County, Northumberland County and the City of Kawartha Lake can provide flu vaccine to anyone two years of age and older. High-dose flu vaccines for people 65 years of age and older are also available at pharmacies. A complete list of local pharmacy locations providing flu vaccines is available here.
• Local health care providers can also provide flu vaccine. People should contact their primary care provider to see about getting one.
• The Health Unit is providing flu vaccine clinics for children under the age of five years who do not have a family doctor. Clinics are appointment only, so to schedule a time, call the Health Unit at 1-866-888-4577, ext. 1507.

“The flu vaccine is safe, effective and your best defence against influenza,” says Dr. Natalie Bocking, Medical Officer of Health with the HKPR District Health Unit. “Getting the flu vaccine will also help prevent unnecessary hospital visits and reduce the strain on our health care system which continues to deal with the impact of COVID-19.”

For those worried that getting the flu shot will affect their ability to get a COVID-19 shot, don’t fear. “It is safe to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and the flu shot at the same time, so if you’re receiving your flu shot and still have yet to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, now is the time to get them,” Dr. Bocking adds.

Flu vaccine is recommended for anyone six months of age and older. This is especially true for those most at risk of getting sick from flu, including: babies, young children, seniors, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems.

To further stop the spread of flu, and COVID-19, the Health Unit recommends people: wash their hands thoroughly and often, sneeze and cough into their sleeves, and stay home from work and school if they are sick. Eating well, getting sufficient sleep and being physically active on a regular basis also helps keep the body’s immune system strong.

-30-