PORT HOPE, ON (October 10, 2024) – The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is reminding everyone to stay safe this upcoming respiratory illness season by staying up to date on vaccinations. It is recommended that everyone get their flu, COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) shots (if applicable) as soon as they become available.

In early October, flu shots will be available for the most vulnerable and high priority populations, including those hospitalized, health care workers, and residents in long-term care and retirement homes, other congregate settings, and individuals 65 years of age and older. Free flu shots for the public aged six months and older will be available starting on October 28, 2024, through participating pharmacies and primary care teams.

Beginning in October, families with infants born in 2024 and high-risk children up to 24 months old will now have access to the publicly funded new RSV immunization. Access to the RSV immunization can be made through their health care provider. Newborns born during the 2024/25 respiratory season, while at hospitals, will also be offered the vaccine. The RSV prevention program has also expanded this fall to include all retirement home residents. For more details on the RSV program, visit Ontario.ca/rsv.

“Let’s all continue to protect ourselves and our community by staying up to date on our vaccinations, which include influenza, COVID-19 and RSV,” said Dr. Natalie Bocking, Medical Officer of Health and CEO for the HKPR District Health Unit. “Both COVID-19 and flu vaccines are available at local pharmacies and primary care teams. By doing so, we are ensuring our critical health care services are there for those who need them most.”

The Health Unit will be providing the COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccine to eligible children six months to five years of age only starting in November. To book an appointment call the Health Unit at 1-866-888-4577 ext. 1507.

How to Reduce Risk of Transmission this Holiday Season

• Stay up to date with your immunizations: COVID-19, flu, and RSV if you are eligible.
• Skip the holiday party if you’re not feeling well, stay home when you are sick.
• Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces, and when recovering from illness. If you are recovering from illness, wear a mask for ten days after your symptoms started.
• Wash your hands often, and clean high touch surfaces frequently. If you host or attend a holiday gathering, clean high touch surfaces, and encourage guests to wash their hands frequently or use hand sanitizer.
• Protect our health care services. Doing what you can to limit the spread of illness will help ensure our health care workers are available for those who need them most.

Furthermore, Ontario offers convenient access to antiviral treatments such as Paxlovid through physicians, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists, with virtual care options available through Health811, find a full list of pharmacies here.

View the HKPR District Health Unit’s Respiratory Infections Dashboard.

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