The post Free Flu Shot And New COVID Vaccines Available For Ontarians Six Months of Age And Older appeared first on Muskoka411.
]]>Starting tomorrow, October 30, Ontarians will be able to receive their free flu shot and the new, most recent COVID-19 vaccine at local pharmacies, public health units and primary health care providers across the province. Staying up to date on vaccinations continues to be the best way for people to stay safe and healthy this respiratory illness season and avoid unnecessary visits to the hospital.
“Getting your COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot is the best way to keep yourself, your loved ones and your community healthy,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Our government is ensuring you have access to the tools you need this fall respiratory season by making COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots available in convenient locations close to home, at no cost to Ontarians.”
It is safe and convenient to receive both a COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot at the same time, reducing the need for multiple visits. The new COVID-19 vaccines now available are specifically designed to target the XBB variant and were approved by Health Canada earlier this fall.
All Ontarians six months and older can receive their next COVID-19 dose if it has been a recommended six months since their last dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection. Ontarians are encouraged to speak with a health care professional to help determine their appropriate vaccination schedule.
“With the expected co-circulation of influenza, COVID-19 and RSV over the fall and winter, I encourage Ontarians to get their COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot as soon as they can,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “Especially those who are elderly, immunocompromised, or have medical conditions that make you particularly susceptible to harm from respiratory illnesses.”
To reduce the risk of spreading illness, individuals are advised to wash their hands often, cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze, clean surfaces and shared items regularly and stay at home when sick.
Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government is ensuring communities across the province have the tools they need to stay to stay safe and healthy this fall and winter while ensuring hospital beds are available for those who need them most.
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]]>The post Flu And COVID-19 XBB Vaccine Available In Simcoe Muskoka As Of Oct. 30 appeared first on Muskoka411.
]]>The COVID-19 XBB vaccine is an updated formulation which better protects against the new Omicron XBB variant. Individuals aged six months and older who are not up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines are able to receive the XBB formulation free of charge at participating local pharmacies, some health care providers and health unit clinics by appointment. Appointments are available online through the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre or by calling 1-833-943-3900.
The influenza vaccine is available to individuals aged five years and older at participating local pharmacies, health care providers and health unit clinics. Children aged six months to two years may receive the flu shot from a doctor, nurse, or health unit clinic by appointment.
For those at higher risk, the COVID-19 XBB vaccine formulation and influenza vaccines are also available in other settings such as long-term care homes, retirement homes, some workplaces, hospitals, and community health centers.
The COVID-19 vaccine and the influenza vaccine can be received at the same time.
Seasonal flu and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses, so it is important to get both vaccines. In addition to getting vaccinated, it is important to layer protective measures to prevent illness. The layers include staying home when you are sick with any symptoms of respiratory illness and keeping children home from school or child care if they are ill; cleaning hands and disinfecting high-touch surfaces frequently; and wearing a mask in indoor public settings, especially if you are at higher risk of severe infection.
The health unit recommends that individuals be aware of the COVID-19 Community Risk Level and Weekly Respiratory Virus Update, assess their own personal circumstances that could put them at higher risk, and to take necessary precautions to protect themselves and others against transmission and severe illness.
For more information about influenza, COVID-19, and immunization, visit our website or contact Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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]]>The post Flu, RSV And New COVID XBB Vaccines Available Soon For Ontario Residents appeared first on Muskoka411.
]]>Ontario is reminding everyone to stay safe this respiratory illness season and prevent unnecessary visits to the hospital by staying up to date on vaccinations. Ontarians are encouraged to get their flu and COVID-19 shots as soon as they are available to them.
“Our government is making sure Ontarians can connect to tools they need to keep themselves and their loved ones safe and healthy throughout fall respiratory season,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “We are working with our partners across the health care system to continue to support hospitals and their staff while making it easier for people to access the care they need, in their community.”
Starting this month, flu shots will be available for the most vulnerable high-risk populations, including hospitalized individuals, hospital staff and residents and staff in long-term care homes, followed by those in retirement homes and other congregate settings. Free flu shots for the general public aged six months and older will be available starting October 30th at doctor and nurse practitioner offices, some public health units and participating pharmacies. To learn more about the flu shot, visit Ontario.ca/flu.
It is safe and convenient to receive both the COVID-19 and flu shots at the same time, reducing the need for multiple visits to a doctor, nurse practitioner or local pharmacy. The province expects to start receiving doses of Moderna’s updated SPIKEVAX XBB COVID-19 vaccine later in September, which better protects against the new Omicron XBB variant. This vaccine is Health Canada approved for people aged six months of age and older, however initial doses will be prioritized for higher risk populations and more details will be provided once doses are distributed to Ontario. The current COVID-19 vaccines will also continue to be available for Ontarians, as long as it has been a recommended six months since their previous dose.
Ontario is also rolling out its first publicly funded vaccination program of the first Health Canada approved RSV vaccine, Arexvy for those 60 years and older living in long-term care homes, Elder Care Lodges, and for some retirement home residents. New changes will soon allow pharmacists to administer the vaccine, which will allow homes to hire pharmacists to administer the vaccine on site and help vulnerable populations receive their dose more conveniently without leaving their home.
Ontario continues to provide convenient access to antivirals through physicians, nurse practitioners and pharmacists, with virtual care options available through Health 811. The Ontario government is also working on changes that will allow pharmacists to prescribe the flu antiviral, Tamiflu, making it faster and easier for people to get timely care. Individuals can also continue to access rapid antigen tests through their local Public Health Units. As of September, health care providers across the province can order rapid antigen tests to share with patients free of charge. Using the PCR testing locator, eligible individuals can also access COVID-19 molecular (PCR) testing at pharmacies and assessment centres.
“It’s important to remember the simple and effective ways we can protect ourselves and the most vulnerable,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “Stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations, get an annual flu shot when it becomes available, stay home when you feel sick, wash your hands often and cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and consider wearing a mask, particularly if you are at high risk. COVID-19 activity is rising with new variants circulating and other seasonal respiratory illnesses are expected early this year. These small decisions are proven to have a big impact on keeping everyone in our communities safe and healthy”.
With Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care and all of these additional initiatives, the government is providing Ontarians with the tools they need to stay safe and healthy this fall and winter, and avoid any unnecessary visits to the hospital. The ministry will continue to monitor trends closely and adjust as necessary.
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]]>The post South Georgian Bay COVID-19, Cold, Flu And Respiratory Care Clinic Appointments Now Available appeared first on Muskoka411.
]]>With increasing respiratory illness in our region, the South Georgian Bay Ontario Health Team (SGB OHT) is opening the South Georgian Bay COVID-19, Cold, Flu and Respiratory Care Clinic starting on December 2nd, 2022. The clinic provides assessment and care, by appointment, for people experiencing COVID-19, cold, flu or other respiratory symptoms and helps offset pressures facing the hospital emergency department. The clinic is an initiative that supports the shared purpose of the SGB OHT to keep residents in the South Georgian Bay community safe and was made possible thanks to the longstanding and trusting relationships of health care and social service partners across the community.
“The COVID-19, Cold, Flu and Respiratory Care Clinic offers quick and safe access to care,” says Dr. Harry O’Halloran, Lead Physician Georgian Bay Family Health Organization, Co-Chair South Georgian Bay Ontario Health Team. “Right now, we are experiencing a lot of respiratory illness in our community, and we want to ensure that anyone experiencing COVID-19, cold or flu symptoms who feel they need to see a doctor or nurse practitioner will be able to do that quickly and easily. We’ll continue to work collaboratively with local family docs, nurse practitioners and our emergency room colleagues to respond to our community’s health needs.”
As part of this collaborative effort to keep the community safe during COVID-19 and to help reduce the burden on our local emergency room, OHT Partners including emergency room and primary care physicians and nurse practitioners are supporting the clinic’s operations.
Appointments to the clinic are available beginning on December 2nd, 2022 and can be booked on the South Georgian Bay Ontario Health Team website https://southgeorgianbayoht.ca/covid-19-cold-and-flu-and-respiratory-care-clinic/ by contacting your family physician, or dialing 2-1-1 (24/7 bilingual helpline) for assistance with booking an online appointment. Bookings for the COVID-19, Cold, Flu and Respiratory Care Clinic are available up to seven days in advance.
COVID-19 testing and vaccine information can also be found on the South Georgian Bay Ontario Health Team website here: www.southgeorgianbayoht.ca
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]]>The post Pharmacy Association Urges All Canadians To Get Flu Vaccine Amid COVID-19 Pandemic appeared first on Muskoka411.
]]>As Canada prepares for the school year to start, access to COVID-19 testing and influenza immunization are top of mind for the health and wellness of students, teachers, and their families.
Neighbourhood pharmacies can provide access to asymptomatic COVID-19 testing in convenient locations with extended hours, separate from those experiencing symptoms or who have had known contact with the virus. Alberta is now offering asymptomatic COVID-19 testing in pharmacies, and Ontario is on the path to the same delivery.
“We urge all provinces to empower pharmacists to provide point of care testing and specimen collection in partnership with laboratories to increase access,” says Sandra Hanna, pharmacist and CEO of the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada. “To alleviate the strain on parts of the health system that are overloaded by COVID-19, it is critical to expand the scope of practice for pharmacists across the country, so that we can provide the care our patients need when and where they need it most.”
The Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada also encourages all Canadians to get their influenza vaccine every year. With the potential of a second wave of COVID-19, it is particularly important to protect against co-circulating respiratory illnesses this fall.
With 11,000 pharmacies conveniently located in every neighbourhood across Canada, families can receive their annual influenza immunization at their local pharmacy. In recent years, community pharmacists provided over 3.2 million influenza vaccinations. Of all Canadians receiving a flu shot, 48% chose to receive it in their pharmacy.
Pharmacies are taking steps to ensure public health guidelines are followed, and physical distancing is maintained. The Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada recommends Canadians ask their pharmacist about their process, as many are planning to schedule appointments to ensure the utmost safety for Canadians seeking to get their flu shot.
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