Date: October 30, 2009
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Free vaccination clinics
for H1N1 flu will begin November 3rd in six locations, five days a
week across Simcoe Muskoka. For the
first week of clinics we encourage those who are at higher risk of
complications, severe disease and hospitalization to be vaccinated. These include: healthy children from
six months to five years old, people with chronic medical conditions under
the age of 65, pregnant women, household contacts and care providers of
persons at high risk who cannot be immunized or may not respond to vaccines
(including those carrying infants 0-6 months old), healthcare workers
involved in pandemic response or who deliver essential services, and people
living in remote communities. Those
not considered at high risk should attend clinics after the first week. A
list of clinic locations and hours,
along with up
to date information about H1N1 and information about what to do if you or someone in your family is
sick, is available on the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit website at www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.
Please continue to check this website as information may change. You can also
call Your Health Connection, Monday
to Friday, |
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This fall is a different flu season, with both seasonal flu and
H1N1 flu in our communities. To help stop the spread of viruses in our
schools, we are working closely with our local health unit. H1N1 Symptoms: Watch for flu symptoms including sudden fever or chills, cough, sore throat, fatigue
(lack of energy), and muscle or joint aches. Children under five years may vomit and
have diarrhea. If you have symptoms
and think you may have the flu you can find out what to do next by using a
new on-line self-assessment
tool offered by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care at www.health.gov.on.ca What is the
contagious period? Students and volunteers should stay home until their fever
has been gone for at least 24 hours and they are feeling well enough to do
normal activities. Some people may experience a cough for days to weeks
after an infection. Those with just a cough can return to school. Please let the school know if you are keeping your child
home with flu symptoms. This helps the health unit keep track of how the flu
is spreading. Emergency Contact Info: Please make sure we have your up to
date emergency contact information. This is important if your child is sick
and needs to go home. Preventing Illness: Please teach
your children: ·
to wash their hands with soap and water often or use hand
sanitizer · not to share
personal items like pens, pencils, drinks or food · to cough or
sneeze into their sleeve, or into a tissue and then wash their hands · Clinics: Free vaccination clinics for H1N1 flu will begin November
3rd in six locations, five days a week across Simcoe Muskoka. For the first week of clinics we
encourage those who are at higher risk of complications, severe disease and
hospitalization to be vaccinated. These
include: healthy children from six months to five years old, people with
chronic medical conditions under the age of 65, pregnant women, household
contacts and care providers of persons at high risk who cannot be immunized
or may not respond to vaccines (including those carrying infants 0-6 months
old), healthcare workers involved in pandemic response or who deliver
essential services, and people living in remote communities. Those not considered at high risk should
attend clinics after the first week. A list of clinic locations and
hours, along with up to date information about H1N1 and information about
what to do if you or someone in your family is sick, is available on the
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit website at www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.
Please continue to check this website as information may change. If you have questions,
you can also call Your Health
Connection, Monday to Friday, |