News Release                           For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                  October 23, 2009

Seniors Get Seasonal Influenza Vaccine

High Priority Group Expands to Include Women One Month Post-Partum.

An influenza clinic held at Saugeen District Secondary School in Port Elgin saw a turnout of 258 people last night.   This clinic offered seasonal influenza vaccine to seniors 65 years and older.    A clinic held in Walkerton earlier in the week had a turnout of 198 people.

Newly added to the priority group to first receive the H1N1 vaccine, is women up to 4 weeks post-partum. According to Program Manager, Denna Leach, “It’s important that women who have recently had a baby receive the vaccine, as both mother and baby have a higher risk of complications if they contract the H1N1 influenza virus.” 

The priority group includes those with chronic medical conditions who are under the age of 65, pregnant women with a pre-existing health condition, pregnant women who are more than 20 weeks gestation, women 4 weeks post-partum, healthy children 6 months – 5 years of age, and health care workers.

Next clinic dates are:

•  Monday, October 26 at Kincardine District Secondary School in Kincardine from 4-7 p.m.  This clinic will offer seasonal influenza vaccine to seniors 65 years of age and older.
•  Thursday, October 29 at the Grey Bruce Health Unit in Owen Sound from 10 a.m –   7  p.m. This clinic will offer seasonal vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine.  Seniors 65 years of age and older can receive the seasonal flu vaccine.  The H1N1 vaccine will be offered to those without a family physician or nurse practitioner, who are in the priority group. 

There are currently 11 flu clinics scheduled throughout Grey and Bruce Counties.  Public Health is encouraging residents to visit www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca for weekly updates to the current flu clinic schedule.  Clinics may expand or be added as more H1N1 vaccine becomes available for the general public. 

For further information, call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 or visit our website at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

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For more information:

Denna Leach

Program Manager

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 Ext 1462

1-800-263-3456