THUNDER BAY — The Thunder Bay District Health Unit has just received a shipment of this year's flu vaccine and is now starting distribution.
Laura Dennis, manager of the vaccine preventable disease program at TBDHU, says it's important for area residents to arrange to be vaccinated as soon as possible.
This is particularly urgent, she said in an interview Wednesday, for people who are at high risk of influenza-related complications.
"We've seen some early cases of the flu in Ontario. At the provincial level, our chief medical officer is anticipating it may be a more severe flu season, especially with other viruses circulating, like COVID-19."
Dennis said members of high-risk groups include adults and children six months old and over with chronic health conditions, children six months to four years old as well as their caregivers, pregnant individuals, older adults and healthcare workers.
The flu vaccine should be in the hands of local pharmacies and healthcare providers by the middle of the month.
At any clinics where TBDHU administers the COVID-19 vaccine, it is simultaneously offering the flu vaccine to people who have booked an appointment for a COVID booster shot.
"We are also opening up our clinics to walk-ins for children six months to four years inclusive, and their family members, who don't have a healthcare provider," Dennis said.
"The reason we are doing that is that there is limited access through pharmacies for these younger folks."
The health unit is also beginning distribution of the vaccine to long-term care facilities, hospitals and primary care providers, followed by pharmacies.
More information about influenza and the flu vaccine is available on the TBDHU website.
