THUNDER BAY — Flu activity is on the rise in the Thunder Bay region.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit issued a news release on Tuesday, saying the flu season has started early this year with a "significant increase" in cases over the past two weeks.
"Flu is here, and it's spreading quickly," medical officer of health Dr. Janet DeMille said.
DeMille cautioned that it can be a serious disease resulting in hospitalization and even death. She also noted that because COVID-19 and other virus are still circulating, the health care system is already under severe strain.
She advised seeking protection against the worst outcomes by getting the flu vaccine as soon as possible. The vaccine became available to anyone in Ontario aged six months and over as of Tuesday and is available at doctors' and nurse practitioners' offices, and participating pharmacies.
The health unit is also now offering flu shots to individuals at higher risk on a walk-in basis at its COVID-19 vaccination clinic on the CLE grounds.
People at greater risk of serious complications from the flu include those 65 years old and over, individuals with chronic illness such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease or lung disease, children six months to four years old, those who are pregnant, and Indigenous people.
The flu vaccine is available to these groups at the CLE regardless of whether they require a COVID-19 shot.
The same clinic also continues to offer flu vaccine to children under five years old, as well as their accompanying family members.
It's important to note that it can take up to two weeks to build immunity after receiving the vaccine.
More information and updates about clinics is available on the TBDHU website.
Residents of district communities should contact their health care provider or pharmacy to access the flu vaccine.
