Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/Nov. 3, 2021 – Getting the flu vaccine is especially important for children this year, to reduce their risk of illness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Flu vaccines are approved, available, and free for everyone over six months of age. Vaccination is a proven, effective way to reduce infectious illness. Ensuring your child gets the flu vaccination as soon as possible will provide them the best possible protection against the flu this year, as it can take up to two weeks to build immunity.
Children over six months of age can receive the flu vaccination from their health care provider, and everyone over two years of age can receive the flu vaccination at a local pharmacy. Individuals who are able to get the vaccination through their health care provider or the pharmacy are encouraged to do so, as soon as possible.
Due to resource limitations resulting from ongoing pandemic response, HPEPH is only offering flu vaccination clinics this year to children six months of age to five years who do not currently have a health care provider. These HPEPH clinics will take place:
November 8 and 9, 2021
179 North Park Street, Belleville,
9:30 to 11:45 and 1:15 to 3:30
Appointments are required.
Individuals with children between two and five years of age are encouraged to seek vaccination at a local pharmacy if possible, to ensure spaces remain available for children who are not eligible at local pharmacies.
To reserve a space for your child, book an appointment as soon as possible at https://www.canadaehs.com/hpepublichealth/flu
“We know that parents want to do whatever they can to keep their child healthy during this COVID-19 pandemic,” says Dr. Ethan Toumishey, Acting Medical Officer of Health at HPEPH. “Offering your child protection against the flu through vaccination is a decision you are able to make to help them stay as healthy as possible this season.”
To reduce the spread of illness in the community, all residents should continue public health precautions. If you have symptoms of the flu, stay home and follow testing guidance for COVID-19. Even if you are vaccinated against both the flu and COVID-19, you can still get a mild case of these illnesses and spread them to others. The same public health precautions that prevent the spread of COVID-19, will prevent the spread of the flu.
- Stay home when you are sick
- Get tested for COVID-19 (if advised by screening)
- Wash your hands often
- Cover your cough and sneeze
- Clean frequently touched surfaces often
- Get vaccinated.
For more information about the flu vaccine, visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/flu-facts
If you do not have a health care provider, you may book an appointment for your child six months of age to five years at https://www.canadaehs.com/hpepublichealth/flu
Media contacts
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
mhyland@hpeph.ca
Emily Tubbs, Communications Specialist
etubbs@hpeph.ca
About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices. We monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities, and help develop healthy public policies. We provide information and support in many areas to help improve the health and well-being of our residents. Together with our communities, we help people become as healthy as they can be. For more information, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
We invite community partners and residents to share this Media Release with their respective networks.
