Porcupine Health Unit officials say due to an increase in public awareness about influenza this year, they’re getting more requests for the vaccine and they’ve been holding more clinics than usual for this time of year.
Megan Touchette is public health nurse that says the majority of flu shot clinics are held in November and December, but with recent news reports of children dying from the virus and the number of flu cases throughout the country, people in the Timmins area are calling in to request the vaccine.
She says the Porcupine Health Unit currently only has one type of vaccine for children aged six months and older, as they ran out of the popular nasal spray in November.
Health experts say the flu shot is the best line of defense against getting the virus next to hand washing, staying home when sick, sneezing into your elbow, and keeping commonly used surfaces clean.
“We do have influenza circulating. Lab tests have confirmed it is influenza A. In the vaccine, there are two strains of influenza A. So, the vaccine has shown a close match to what’s circulating in the community with what’s in the vaccine.” said Touchette.
She says parents who want the flu vaccine for their children who are under the age of five will need to book an appointment with their health care providers.
