**PORCUPINE HEALTH UNIT NEWS RELEASE**

The Porcupine Health Unit reminds you that it’s time to get your flu shot. Starting on Friday November 1, the Health Unit in Timmins will be offering daily flu clinics from Monday to Friday 1-5 p.m., and every Saturday morning from 10 a.m.-12 noon.

“Everyone is susceptible to getting the flu,” says Louise Gaulin, Public Health Nurse at the Porcupine Health Unit. “Many people do not realize that influenza can lead to serious complications, certainly for those at higher risk, such as the elderly.”

The four strain influenza vaccine is available to everyone over the age of 6 months. Gaulin explains, “This vaccine provides broader protection against influenza. It consists of two influenza A virus strains and two influenza B virus strains.

” The nasal mist vaccine is not available for use in Canada for the 2019-2020 influenza season.
If you’re 65 years or older you can receive a high dose three strain vaccine or the four strain vaccine. Although the high dose trivalent vaccine consists of only three strains, it offers higher concentrations of them.”

“This high dose vaccine typically means better protection for those 65 years of age and older. However, the four strain vaccine is also available and recommended for this age group,” says Gaulin.

Gaulin encourages everyone to get vaccinated. “Protect yourself and the ones you care for by getting vaccinated every year,” she says. “Make the time to get immunized either through the health unit, your health care provider or through your local pharmacy.”

Filed under: Local News