Health Unit adds more opportunities for flu and COVID-19 vaccines

NEWS RELEASE

NORTH BAY, ON - Individuals unable to find a pharmacy offering flu shots and COVID-19 vaccines will be able to get vaccinated this month during the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit’s (Health Unit’s) Walk-in Fridays. The new, limited time campaign comes in response to feedback from the public seeking additional opportunities to get vaccinated this season as well as an upward trend in local COVID-19 outbreaks.

“We saw excellent uptake at our 12 community clinics this fall, and we are grateful to have the ongoing support of a number of primary care providers and pharmacies who are immunizing to prevent severe illness in our communities,” says Marlene Campsall, manager of the Health Unit’s Vaccine Preventable Diseases program. “We encourage anyone who has not yet been able to get their vaccines to do so before the new year.”

Walk-in Fridays will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Health Unit’s North Bay location (345 Oak St. W) on Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20. Individuals in the Parry Sound area who cannot find a local pharmacy offering the flu or COVID-19 vaccine may contact the Health Unit’s Parry Sound office at 705-746-5801 to schedule an appointment.  

Getting vaccinated is one of the most effective actions people can take to protect themselves and others from becoming sick; however, as individuals begin to layer their levels of clothing at the onset of colder weather, the Health Unit is urging the public to also layer their levels of protection against COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. Between Nov. 1 and Nov. 16, the Health Unit region has had seven confirmed outbreaks in high-risk settings, with six of them being COVID-19 related. This represents 30 per cent of total respiratory outbreaks since Sept. 1, 2024.

“The outbreak trends we are seeing in high-risk settings indicate there is a concerning level of COVID-19 spreading in our communities,” explains Dr. Zimbalatti, medical officer of health. “Although the pandemic has come and gone, it continues to be important for people to stay home when they have symptoms or wear a mask if they must go out; to wash their hands often, use their arm to cover coughs and sneezes, sanitize high-touch surfaces and stay up-to-date with their vaccinations.” 

More COVID-19 information is available at myhealthunit.ca/COVID-19. Local outbreaks of respiratory illnesses continue to be reported on the Health Unit’s respiratory dashboard. 

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