MEDIA RELEASE from TBDHU – 2009/10 Flu Season

November 19^th, 2009

Follow Through on Plans for H1N1 Flu Shot

With a slow down at H1N1 flu clinics, the Health Unit is advising citizens that H1N1 flu is still circulating and it is important to get immunized to reduce the chance of another wave of illness.

Public health officials warn that until the vast majority of the population have either had the flu shot or been infected with the virus, our District is susceptible to a resurgence of influenza.

“To stop the spread of H1N1 flu and protect those who can’t build immunity to the flu, we need around 85 per cent of the population to become immune to the H1N1 flu virus,” said Lee Sieswerda, Epidemiologist.

“We do not know how many people are now immune to the H1N1 virus, so the best way to prevent any resurgence of cases is for most people to be vaccinated. We know that there are tens of thousands of people in our District who say they still intend to be vaccinated. Now is the time to follow through.”

 Since the H1N1 program began in October, 25,000 people have been immunized at Health Unit clinics throughout the District.  Approximately the same number has received the H1N1 flu shot from their doctors or other
health care professionals.

Although more people have been immunized at this point in the flu season than any other year of the Health Unit’s universal flu immunization program, Sieswerda indicated there are still several months before the flu season ends.

“Spring is a natural barrier for flu transmission. It is when we see a significant drop in flu cases. We have at least four months before spring so it’s still important to get immunized.” 

It is especially important for children to be immunized because they are more likely than adults to spread the flu to others. Parents are reminded that during tomorrow’s (Nov. 20th) Professional Activity Day there is a H1N1 clinic running at the Victoriaville Centre from 10 am to 3 pm. Visit thunderbayflu.ca for a list of clinics running until the end of November.

Although H1N1 is still the predominant strain, public health officials are monitoring to see if a different strain of flu will emerge before spring, requiring a different seasonal flu shot. Flu vaccinations for this “seasonal” flu have already been offered to people 65 and over. The provincial government is expected to open up seasonal flu shots to the general public in December. 

for more information visit www.TBDHU.com or www.ThunderBayFlu.ca