Time ticking on flu shot clinics
By Chris Simon

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit registered nurse Teri Polley, left, receives a flu shot from fellow nurse Melanie Belland, during a free clinic in Thornton last week. Several other clinics will take place over the next few weeks. For more information, visit www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.

There's still ample time to get a free flu shot.

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit will be hosting several clinics throughout the region until Dec. 6. In Innisfil, four clinics are planned over the next few weeks. The health unit office in Cookstown will host clinics Nov. 29, 29 and Dec. 6. The Churchill Community Centre will also host a clinic Nov. 26. All clinics will take place between 3 and 8 p.m., said registered nurse Teri Polley.

"We're going until Dec. 6, so there's still plenty of time to get your flu shot," she said. "(Response) is about the same as it was last year. We've had some extremely busy clinics, and some slower ones. But the turnout has been great."

This year's shot gives residents 70 to 90 per cent protection against three strains of the virus - A Solomon Islands, A Wisconsin and B Malaysia - the most commonly spread strains found by prominent groups like the World Health Organization and the Centre for Disease Control last year.

However, the flu shot may also give some protection against similar virus strains.

"They get a flu shot yearly, because it only lasts six months," said Polley. "It will protect people from the strains they feel will be prevalent this year."

During flu season, about 15 per cent of the population generally gets the virus.

Residents need the shot, to protect themselves and others in the community from the effects the flu can cause. Those symptoms can range from body aches and high temperatures to more severe complications, often forcing sufferers to stay in bed for days while they recover.

Young children, seniors, emergency workers and people with heart and other medical problems are at the highest risk of getting the virus. While emergency workers should have already received the shot, the other at risk groups are being specifically targeted by the clinic initiative, said Polley.

"It's important to get (the shot), to protect themselves and passing it on to others," she said. "Anybody dealing with the public or the at risk populations (should get it)."

For more information, and a list of flu shot clinics throughout the region, visit www.simcoemuskokahealth. org.