THUNDER BAY — The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is proceeding with plans for a series of flu immunization clinics across the city, even though its nurses remain on strike.
Shots at these clinics will only be provided to children under five and to their family members.
In a news release, TBDHU said it is focusing on this group because it has "less access overall" to the flu shot since pharmacies can only provide it to children five and older.
No registered nurses will be involved in running the clinics. Members of a different union, registered practical nurses on staff at the TBDHU, will administer the shots.
A spokesperson for the health unit said RPNs on the Vaccine Preventable Disease team have years of experience and expertise, and regularly administer flu shots and other immunizations as part of their usual duties.
A representative of the Ontario Nurses Association said four RNs are typically assigned to the flu clinics along with five RPNs, but they perform similar functions.
The health unit on Tuesday released the dates and locations for the clinics, which will operate once each week until the second week in December.
The first one is set for Thursday, Nov. 8 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Sherbrooke EarlyON Child & Family Centre at 110 Sherbrooke Street (Sherbrooke elementary school).
These are drop-in clinics only, and an Ontario health card is not required.
Superior North EMS clinics for the general public also continue operation, with the next one scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the District Social Services Administration Board offices at 231 May St. S.
These clinics are open to anyone six months and older, and an Ontario health card is not required.
Immunization shots are available as well from patients' healthcare providers or at various pharmacies across Thunder Bay.
Additional details including flu immunization schedules and locations across the city and in the District of Thunder Bay are available online at thunderbayflu.ca.
