Regional Councillors Roll Up Their Sleeves to Protect Their Loved Ones

Before today’s Regional Council’s Standing Committee meeting, several Councillors rolled up their sleeves to help kick off Public Health’s annual immunization campaign. The campaign encourages everyone six months and older, particularly those at highest risk of complications related to influenza--those with chronic health conditions, persons over 65 years of age, all children under five, pregnant women, and Aboriginal people—to be immunized.

The focus of this year’s campaign is to remind residents to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their loved ones from flu.

“It is important to get the flu shot,” said Chair of Community Services, Sean Strickland. “Not just to protect ourselves, but to protect the vulnerable people in our lives such as our children and grandchildren, aging parents or grandparents, and those with chronic illnesses. By getting the flu shot, we are protecting our loved ones too.

Influenza is a serious disease. It is estimated that up to 20,000 hospitalizations related to influenza occur annually, and another 4,000 Canadians die from influenza and its complications. Getting the flu shot is the single best defense against influenza--and it helps to protect those you care about.

"Annual influenza immunization is free of charge and offers the best protection for your family," said Dr. Liana Nolan, Medical Officer of Health. “With our increasingly busy lives—school, work, extracurricular activities and family events—the flu can spread quickly. Since viruses are constantly changing, families need to ensure they have their flu shot every year.”

Symptoms of Influenza include the sudden onset of fever (accompanied by chills), cough, sore throat and muscle or joint aches. If a person experiences the symptoms of any respiratory illness they should:

• Stay home until the symptoms begin to lessen
• Cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing
• If tissues are not available – cough or sneeze into the upper sleeve or elbow of clothing (the “Sleeve Sneeze”). The fabric helps to trap the droplets instead of having them sneezed or coughed into hands where they can be easily passed on to others or to surfaces
• Do not visit persons in hospitals or retirement/long term care homes

This year, residents of Waterloo Region will have even more access to vaccination. People can get their flu shot at any one of the 83 pharmacies across the region as well as physician offices and walk-in clinics.

Public Health immunization clinics will begin November 5th. Residents can schedule their appointment online at https://clinicreservation.com/clinics/row  or by calling 519-575-4400. To find a clinic in your area, people can visit the interactive map at www.ontario.ca/flu   

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Media contact

Candace Harrington
Marketing and Communications
Region of Waterloo Public Health
Ph: 519-883-2244
CaHarrington@regionofwaterloo.ca