More than double the number of pharmacies are providing the flu vaccine in locations across Ottawa this fall.
There are nearly 140 pharmacies offering the vaccine compared with 60 last year and the total number of walk-in clinics and doctors’ offices giving the vaccine is 480.
“It’s very important for people to get the vaccine because influenza is very contagious and can affect anyone, even if they are healthy, says Riccardo Lucchini, a public health nurse who supervises some Ottawa flu vaccine clinics. “We want to protect the most vulnerable people in our communities such as children, pregnant women and the elderly.”
Ottawa pharmacists gave more than 42,000 flu shots to local residents last year, a number which Ottawa Public Health hopes will increase as a result of the new pharmacies providing the vaccine. There were more than 3,600 hospitalizations in Ontario in 2012 as a result of flu complications,including 120 in Ottawa.
Lucchini says there is no priority for these at risk groups because the Ontario Immunization program makes the vaccine universally available to people who work, live, or go to school in Ontario.
“Because there is no priority for these at risk groups we want to emphasise the need for them to get the vaccine,” Lucchini says.
The pharmacies voluntarily sign up through Ottawa Public Health’s Influenza Immunization campaign.
Somerset Coun. Diane Holmes says the vaccine is offered this year at increased and more accessible places around Centretown so more local residents are protected from the flu.
“With the vaccine available in more locations, getting the flu shot is now more convenient and accessible for all residents, including those who are at greater risk for complications from the flu including young children, the elderly and people with chronic conditions,” she says.
Ottawa Public Health hopes that this increase in availability will stop future outbreaks of influenza such as the H1N1 strain in 2009. Ottawa Public Health reminds Ottawa residents of these key tips to avoid getting and transmitting the flu virus:
Wash your hands with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer.
Cover your coughs and sneezes with your arm, not your hand.
Avoid crowds, public gatherings and stay at home if you are sick.
Do not visit hospitalized patients if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
The flu vaccine is available from walk-in clinics and doctors’ offices until Nov. 28.