Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/Oct. 19, 2023
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is reminding everyone to stay safe this respiratory illness season and prevent unnecessary visits to the hospital by staying up to date with their vaccinations.
HPEPH currently has a limited number of appointments for individuals at high-risk of COVID-19-related complications or hospitalization. The XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine will help to prevent severe outcomes due to COVID-19. Appointments for high-risk individuals can be booked at ontario.ca/book-vaccine/ or by calling 1-833-943-3900 (Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Please be aware that these appointments are booked through the province, not through HPEPH. As these appointments are limited, residents are encouraged to seek vaccines through their primary care provider or local pharmacies if this is an option. High-risk individuals include:
- Residents and staff of congregate living settings (e.g., chronic care facilities, retirement homes)
- Pregnant individuals
- Individuals ≥ 65 years of age
- All children 6 months to 4 years of age [based on influenza risk]
- Individuals who are from a First Nation, Inuit or Métis community, and/or who self-identify as First Nation, Inuit, or Métis, and their household members
- Individuals 6 months of age and older with underlying health conditions
- Members of racialized and other equity deserving communities
- Health care workers and first responders
“Getting vaccinated as soon as you are eligible is the best way to reduce your risk of severe illness associated with both COVID-19 and the flu, and to protect and the most vulnerable members of our community – children, the elderly and the immunocompromised,” says Dr. Ethan Toumishey, Medical Officer of Health and CEO, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.
Vaccines for general public available October 30
Free flu and COVID-19 vaccines for the general public will be available starting October 30 from primary care providers and pharmacies. To learn more visit Ontario.ca/flu and ontario.ca/vaccine-locations/.
We recommend that all residents get immunized when they are eligible. The flu vaccine will maximize protection against the influenza virus, which is known to cause severe illness and can result in hospitalization or even death among previously healthy children, older adults, or pregnant individuals. It is also important to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines. You can get a COVID-19 vaccine if it has been 6 months since your last dose or infection with COVID-19.
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For more information contact:
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
hyland.maureen@hpeph.ca
Communications Team
communications@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. HPEPH is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people. 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 notice with their respective networks.
