Flu Vaccines Available

Dear HealthCare 365 Community,

The 2020-2021 Influenza (Flu) season has arrived. We, along with NACI (National Advisory Committee on Immunization) are STRONGLY recommending the Influenza vaccine to reduce your risk of getting and spreading the flu. This fall and winter both the Flu virus and COVID-19 will spread. While getting the Flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, it will reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization and even death. Getting influenza can make you more vulnerable to other infections like COVID.

The Influenza vaccine is safe! It is safer than getting the Flu. It does NOT cause influenza because it does not contain live virus. Influenza virus changes over the time of the flu season. Even if the virus mutates, receiving the flu vaccine will provide some protection against the altered influenza virus and reduces the severity of disease if it occurs.

The healthcare system WILL be overwhelmed if we are treating influenza patients as well as COVID-19 patients.

All individuals 6 months of age or older (unless contraindicated) should be vaccinated this year. If you have any concerns about receiving the vaccine please speak with your Care Coordinator.

APPOINTMENTS REQUIRED

To book your flu vaccine appointment please call Rhonda at 416-642-9160.
The high dose flu vaccine will be available in our clinic on Oct 23.
Unfortunately, there will not be a "walk-in" clinic this flu season.

Come alone unless you have a caregiver (1 only) OR if you are bringing children to be immunized. If you are coming as a parent with children, please tell Rhonda how many will be coming from your family.

Wear short sleeves to make administration of vaccine simpler
Wear a mask
Come on time

If you receive your flu vaccine at a pharmacy or other location, please let your Care Coordinator know so that they can update your immunization record.
Erin: erin.kemp@healthcare365.org
Tanya: tanya.radforth@healthcare365.org

Pharmacies will be providing the high dose flu shot for those over the age of 65. Pharmacists cannot administer flu shots to children under 5 years of age. Flu Mist for ages 2 - 17 will not be publicly funded for the 2020/2021 influenza season, however, it may be purchased privately at a pharmacy.

INFLUENZA INFORMATION

Why vaccinate against Influenza?
Influenza is a viral illness that affects up to 20% of the population in the Fall and Winter months. Symptoms typically include the sudden onset of headache, chills, cough, fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches and fatigue, runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and throat irritation. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur, especially in children. Uncomplicated influenza infection causes symptoms of varying intensity lasting up to 10 days. Children and people with weakened immune systems may be infectious longer.

In 2018, Influenza was the sixth leading cause of death in Canada!

The vaccine reduces the chance of becoming ill with influenza, and reduces the risk of complications and hospitalization. Vaccinating also decreases the amount of influenza virus circulating in the community.

Rates of influenza infection are highest in children aged 5–9 years, but rates of serious illness and even death are highest in children aged under 2 years old, people over 65 years old, and persons with underlying medical conditions.

Vaccine Contraindications:
If you believe you fall into any of the categories below, please speak with your Care Coordinator.

Anyone with anaphylactic reaction to a previous influenza vaccine, or its components.
Any previous serious neurologic reaction such as Guillain Barre Syndrome within 6 weeks of a previous influenza vaccine.
Any person with an acute illness, including high fever, until symptoms have gone.
Any person on antiviral therapy.

Egg Allergy
Egg allergy is NOT a contraindication to the Influenza vaccine (including the live inactivated vaccine) as the amount of egg allergen present in the vaccine is minimal. The risk of anaphylaxis is extremely low.

COVID-19 NEWSLETTER

We were recently introduced to a great newsletter that we wanted to share with you!

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