News Feature                   For Immediate Release

October 21, 2004

Up to 1500 Seniors Die from Flu-Related Illness Every Year  

Anyone over the age of 65 years is considered to be at high risk for developing the flu and flu-related complications. Every year, up to 1500 Canadians, mostly seniors, die from influenza-related pneumonia or other influenza-related complications, such as heart and lung disease. New studies have shown that respiratory illnesses, which include the flu, can cause changes to the blood circulation system, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Important information about the flu vaccine:

• The best protection against the flu is the flu shot. The flu shot can’t cause the flu.
• You should get a flu shot each year.  The circulating strains of the flu virus change each year and so the flu vaccine must change.
• It can take up to 2 weeks after receiving the vaccine to become fully protected.  So, some people who receive their flu vaccine after they’ve been exposed to the flu virus can still get the flu, but possibly a less severe form.

This fall, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care will be providing free flu vaccine to Ontario residents over the age of 6 months. It will be available to long-term care facilities after October 6^th and to family doctors during and after the week of October 18^th.  Public Health Unit flu clinics begin October 25^th.

We encourage you to get your flu shot before the flu gets you!

For more information please call Public Health at 376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456, or visit us on the web at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

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For more information:

Karen Sweiger

Program Manager, Vaccine Preventable Diseases

Grey Bruce Health Unit

(519) 376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456, ext. 230