Flu shot season is upon us
The Middlesex-London Health Unit's schedule of its free 2006 Influenza Immunization Clinics is currently under way in the area. The Health Unit planned 23 clinics to be held at various locations across the community, starting Friday November 17 and continuing through Thursday, December 14.
Mary Anne Simpson, manager of Vaccine Preventable Diseases at the Middlesex-London Health Unit, said that despite delays in the production of this year's vaccine, there are still ample amounts of opportunities to get your flu shot.
“It is important to know that it isn't too late to get your flu shot,” Simpson said.“We know that you and your family stand a better chance of staying healthy by getting a flu shot.”
People who become ill with influenza are usually sick for two to seven days with symptoms including; fever, chills, cough, runny eyes, stuffy nose, sore throat, headaches, muscle aches, extreme weakness and fatigue.
The cough and fatigue can persist for several weeks, often making a return to work and personal life a difficult task.
A recent study by the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) has shown that receiving the flu shot slightly increases the risk of hospitalization because of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS).
“It is very, very small,” Dr. David Juurlink, lead author of the study by the ICES, said in a CNews article of the risk of GBS. “It's roughly for every million people vaccinated, we're talking about one or two extra cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome that would not have happened otherwise.”
GBS is a very rare, rapidly progressive disorder that consists of inflammation of the nerves and, usually, muscle weakness, often progressing to frank paralysis. Although the precise cause of GBS is unknown, a viral or respiratory infection preceded the onset of the syndrome in about half of the cases.
“Influenza vaccination is associated with a small but significantly increased risk for hospitalization because of GBS,” the study concluded.
Fanshawe College hosted a free Influenza Vaccination Clinic on Wednesday, November 22, and will hold another one on Wednesday, November 29, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Student Centre, room SC1014.
Individuals interested in receiving their flu shot are reminded to bring their valid Ontario Health Card or a valid insurance card.
