The rest of the public should also be vaccinated from October 28, the Department of Health advises.
news release
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Department
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This is the time of year when contagious respiratory viruses such as influenza, coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are on the rise. To protect yourself and those around you, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is urging people to get vaccinated.
COVID-19 and influenza vaccines are now available at participating local pharmacies and select primary care providers across the Simcoe-Muskoka region for those most at risk of severe infection.
From Monday, October 28, the rest of the public will be encouraged to get vaccinated.
Publicly funded vaccines to prevent influenza and the latest KP.2 The coronavirus disease (KP.2) vaccine is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older. Available at participating local pharmacies and select primary care providers. Pharmacists can administer the flu vaccine to children 2 years of age and older and the COVID-19 vaccine to children 6 months of age and older.
“Seasonal influenza, COVID-19, and RSV are all highly contagious respiratory infections that can cause serious illness, and safe and effective vaccines are needed to prevent them. There are three,” said Dr. Colin Lee, SMDHU Associate Medical Officer of Health. “This year, Ontario will also provide all infants with protection against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, which was previously only offered to premature and high-risk infants. RSV is a very serious infection for infants. In the 2022/23 season, 3,850 people required hospitalization, of which 538 were admitted to intensive care, with RSV vaccination reducing the risk of hospitalization by 80%. You can receive multiple vaccines at the same time.
RSV vaccination will be available to all infants born in 2024. It is also available to infants up to age 2 with certain health conditions. To provide the best protection, hospitals plan to begin vaccinating all newborns from now until around April, immediately after birth and before they are discharged home. If you have a child born in 2024 but have not yet received the RSV vaccination because it just became available, contact your health care provider. The RSV vaccine can also be given to pregnant women between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy under certain circumstances to protect infants at birth. If you have questions regarding eligibility, please consult your health care provider.
Publicly funded RSV vaccines are available through Ontario’s High-Risk Seniors RSV Vaccine Program to people aged 60 and older, including those living in long-term care facilities, elder care lodges, retirement homes, and people with certain medical conditions. It is available for use by people. their health care provider.
The health department has limited appointments available for children ages 6 months to 4 years who are unable to receive COVID-19 or influenza vaccines through local pharmacies or health care providers. Call Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Getting vaccinated is one of the important steps to protect your health this fall and winter. In addition to vaccination, the health department urges people to take precautions such as staying home if they have symptoms of respiratory illness and not sending their children home from school or day care if they are sick. Recommended. Wash your hands frequently and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. Wear a mask in indoor public spaces, especially if you are at high risk of severe infection.
If you are at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19 and develop symptoms of COVID-19, you can use a rapid home antigen test available at some pharmacies and health care providers to detect COVID-19. You should be tested for viral infections. Alternatively, you can contact your state’s COVID-19 Center. -19 exam center websites. If your test result is positive, you may benefit from available antiviral treatments for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This treatment should be taken within the first 5 to 7 days of the onset of symptoms. Before you become infected, it is best to consult your health care provider to discuss your COVID-19 testing and treatment plan.
In addition to the precautions listed above, the health department also recommends that you stay aware of the circulation of respiratory viruses in your community by checking the health department’s weekly respiratory virus update, which is updated every Wednesday. I am.
For more information, visit our website or contact Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520, weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. )
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