Health for Life: Flu shot protects

I don’t usually get a flu shot. I eat well, am very active, get lots of sleep each night and try to wash my hands often to stay healthy during flu season. But, my wife wants me to get the shot because we just had a baby and my mother was recently diagnosed with diabetes. She says I need to get the shot to protect them from the flu. Is she right?

Your wife’s recommendation is a good one.

In the past, those over 65 years of age and people with health issues that affected their immune system were the ones recommended to get the flu shot. And, many people thought that even if they did get the flu, they would be strong enough to fight it off or only have to take a few days off work.

Not a big deal, right? So why get a flu shot?

Well, in recent years, experts in infectious diseases expanded ­re­com­mendations on who needs the flu shot to include everyone over the age of six months, including generally healthy people.

Healthy people may not be at high risk for flu complications but could spread the flu virus to someone who is. 
Flu immunization is important for those who may be considered a “close contact” of high risk groups.

According to Canada’s ­Na­tio­nal Advisory Committee on Immunization, close contacts can include those who:

* work in health care facilities, including health care professionals, office, maintenance and cleaning staff  
* live in the same home as someone who is at risk for flu complications (e.g. people with heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, diabetes)
* care for an elderly parent or other family members who are considered at high risk for flu complications
* come into contact with infants under the age of six months since infants at this age cannot receive the flu shot l live in a household where a newborn is expected during the flu season
* provide regular child care to children under the age of 24 months, whether in or out of the home.

Getting immunized for the flu is not just about protecting ourselves; it’s about protecting everyone.

In fact, the more people who are immunized and protected from the virus, the harder it is for the virus to spread. This is called herd immunity.

Through herd immunity, everyone has a role to play in reducing the impact of the seasonal flu in our community.
The province has provided enough flu vaccine to immunize all those who want or need the flu shot.

Flu shots are available from health care providers or you can visit one of the health unit flu clinics.

The clinics begin on Oct. 17 and continue until Dec. 20. You can get a full schedule from thunderbayflu.ca beginning Oct. 3.
Weekly schedules will also be available in the Thunder Bay Source, beginning Oct. 13.