THUNDER BAY – Local paramedics want to make sure people get their flu shots.
Superior North EMS is providing a number of free flu clinics over the next week, an opportunity for city staff and members of the public to get the vaccine.
Superior North EMS chief Wayne Gates said the paramedic service always encourages people to get flu shots or any vaccines.
“I think sometimes people forget how serious the flu can be. When it comes to our elderly people and our children, they’re bodies often aren’t quite well developed enough to protect themselves from those types of flus,” Gates said at a clinic held at Thunder Bay city hall earlier this week.
“It can cause very serious illness and even death. Every year we lose thousands of people to the flu – children and adults, especially the elderly. We really want to be proactive and try to protect those people and society in general.”
In addition to the city hall clinic, there are five remaining opportunities with four of them at the Superior North EMS headquarters on Junot Avenue South and one on Oct. 31 at the Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board building on May Street South.
“We’re trying to make it convenient for them to get a flu shot,” Gates said. “It only takes five or 10 minutes to come in and get it done.”
City manager Norm Gale, who was the previous EMS chief, said he makes sure to get a flu shot every year.
After rolling up his sleeve and getting his vaccination, Gale encouraged other city employees to do the same.
“People who work for the City of Thunder Bay deliver vital and important services to the public,” Gale said.
“It’s important we’re able to deliver those services by being at work. The flu shot is a great thing to do so that you prevent yourself from getting sick and getting the flu and you prevent yourself from delivering the flu to others. We want those services to be provided and we want people who work here to be healthy.”
Gates said there had been a slight increase to the number of people attending the first two flu clinics, which could be as a result of the public health nurses striking at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. Flu shots are also available at pharmacies and can be administered by family doctors.
“I’m also hoping that it’s part of the education that’s getting out there about encouraging people to get the flu shot,” Gates said.
No health card is required and people are encouraged to wear a t-shirt to make it easier to administer the shot. The shots will not be administered to babies younger than six months.
- Oct. 31, 9 am – 4 pm, Thunder Bay DSSAB, 231 May St S.
- Nov. 1, 8 am – 12 pm, EMS Building Lobby, 105 Junot Ave. S.
- Nov. 2, 2 pm – 6 pm, EMS Building Lobby, 105 Junot Ave. S.
- Nov. 6, 3 pm – 7 pm, EMS Building Lobby, 105 Junot Ave. S.
