Shot down

Numbers are down and concern is up at the district health unit as fewer people are taking advantage of flu clinics this season.

Around 8,000 people have been immunized at local flu-shot clinics this year, way down from last year where the Thunder Bay Distrcit Health Unit immunized 30,000 people for H1N1. But 2008 is a better year to compare this year’s numbers because 2009 was an exception, said health unit infectious diseases program manager Darlene Binette.

Binette said the lower numbers are a provincial trend.

"Of course last year was the big one where we had H1N1" Binette said. "We have seen this across the province as well so it’s not just Thunder Bay that is experiencing that."

Binette said people might be a little complacent this year because of a so far uneventful flu season. But she added that people forget that the season lasts from November until April.

"Definitely we’re concerned because we want to make sure people are protected," she said. "Just because we don’t see anything now by January or February it could be very different."

Getting a flu shot now is especially important because of the holiday season, Binette said.

With more handshakes and home visits during the holidays, Binette said people should get a shot not just to protect themselves, but to prevent passing the flu on to other more vulnerable people.

Washing hands, covering you mouth when you cough. Staying home when you are feeling ill also helps.

The Health Unit will hold a clinic Dec. 6 at the Columbus Centre and Dec.13 at the Current River Community Centre.