The province’s top public health official is urging you to get vaccinated soon, because we are entering flu season, and it takes up to two weeks to build up immunity.
Dr. David Williams, Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health, says the flu can make even the healthiest adults very sick, and can be far worse than the common cold.
He says influenza can make you sick for 2-to-3 weeks, and you could be contagious before you even know you have it.
Dr. Williams stresses if you feel ill, stay away from work and school.
Meantime, there’s now an enhanced form of the flu vaccine that is now available for kids 17 and younger.
Health Minister Dr. Eric Hoskins says it protects against a fourth strain of the flu that tends to strike young people more often than adults.
And for kids 2-to-17 who dread needles, it comes as a nasal spray.
The flu vaccine is now widely available at health care facilities, public health units, clinics and some pharmacies.
For more information visit www.nwhu.on.ca or www.ontario.ca/flu
