It’s that time of year again when the flu bug raises its ugly head.
However, the Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) is taking steps to help the prevention of flu by providing flu clinics again.
“We do flu clinics throughout Renfrew County as part of the universal influenza program put forward by the Ministry of Health,” said Kari Dorzyk, a public health nurse with the RCDHU).
This is a free program funded by the Ministry of Health, she said.
While it’s important everyone be immunized against the flu, there are “certain age groups more at risk,” she said. Those are the very young and the very old, she added. Anyone from six months and older should get a flu shot each year. While not everyone falls into the very young or the very old, Ms. Dorzyk said most people will come into contact with them, and by getting the flu shot, “You are affording protection for them because you’re not going to transmit influenza to them.”
The health unit focuses on November and December to immunize against the flu, however, the shot will be given right up until the spring, she said.
Once immunized, it takes the vaccine about two weeks to reach its full protection level, Ms. Dorzyk said. While some people may be allergic to the vaccine, each person is requested to stay 15 minutes after receiving it to ensure there is no reaction.
Once a person leaves the clinic, they can watch for any reactions, which would usually be swelling in the area of the needle prick, she said.
The vaccine administered has three different strains of influenza in it, Ms. Dorzyk explained. They have been broken down, purified and put into the immunizations so your body will recognize it if you come into contact with it.
“Your immune system recognizes it and mounts a defence to protect you against it,” she explained.
The flu shot is available to anyone at any of the clinics provided by the RCDHU as well as at a pharmacy or a person’s own physician.
There will be a flu clinic at the Whitewater Bromley Community Health Centre in Cobden on Monday, Nov. 23 from 3 to 6 p.m. There are two more scheduled clinics in Pembroke at the health unit located in the same building as the county, on Monday, Nov. 16 from 1 to 6 p.m. and Monday, Nov. 30 from 2 to 6 p.m.
For a list of clinics to be held in Eganville, Renfrew, Petawawa, Arnprior, Killaloe, Deep River and Barry’s Bay, please go to the website rcdhu.com
