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Sarnia, ON – The County of Lambton Community Health Services Department wants to encourage residents to make health a top priority by protecting yourself and those around you against the influenza (flu) virus this season. By getting a flu shot each year, you can help prevent the infection or reduce the severity of illness and reduce the spread of the virus in the community.
The flu is a common respiratory disease that is caused by a highly infectious virus. The virus can spread quickly from person to person through coughing or sneezing. The virus can also be transferred on the hands of people with flu and the surfaces they have touched like door knobs and telephones.
Symptoms will often begin in your throat and nose and may include a fever, dry cough, body aches and fatigue. It is more dangerous than the common cold. Millions of Canadians are affected by the flu each year. Even though most of these people recover completely, “an estimated 4000 to 8000 Canadians, mostly young children and seniors will die every year from flu-related complications like pneumonia.” (Health Canada – Getting the facts http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca)
Those who are at greatest risk of influenza-related complications include the very young (6 to 23 months), the elderly, residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities, pregnant women, and those who already have medical conditions such as diabetes, kidney or heart disease, chronic respiratory disease, or an immune system that is compromised due to cancer, HIV infection, or some other cause.
Prevention is the key. Increase your defenses against the flu virus:
- Get your annual flu shot.
- Wash your hands often.
- Eat a balanced diet high in fruits and vegetables.
- Stay home if you are ill.
To receive your free flu shot book an appointment with your doctor or visit one of the scheduled community clinics in Lambton County. Please refer to the attached list or the website www.lambtonhealth.on.cafor the list of clinics available. For more information call the Flu Info Line at 519 383-3812 or toll free 1-800-667-1839 ext. 3812.
For more information about Lambton County, visit www.lambtononline.ca.
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Contact:
Vicki Hawksworth
Supervisor, Environmental Health and Prevention Services
County of Lambton
Telephone: 519 383-8331 ext. 3503
Fax: 519 383-7092
Email: vicki.hawksworth@county-lambton.on.ca
Influenza Vaccine (Flu Shot) Clinics
Weekly Drop-in Clinic
Point Edward
Community Health Services Department
160 Exmouth St, Point Edward
Each Thursday (8:45 a.m. - 7 p.m.)
October 30 - December 4, 2008
Please note: flu shot clinics are no longer provided on Fridays at this location.
Brooke-Alvinston
Brooke-Alvinston-Inwood Community Centre - Alvinston
Tuesday, November 25 (3 p.m. - 6 p.m.)
Dawn-Euphemia
St. Matthew’s Parish Hall - Florence
Friday, November 21 (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
Fire Hall - Rutherford
Wednesday, November 26 (4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.)
Lambton Shores
Country Manor - Thedford
Monday, November 3 (3 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
North Lambton Lodge - Forest
Friday, November 7 (2 p.m. - 6 p.m.)
Petrolia
Lambton Meadowview Villa - Petrolia
Wednesday, November 12 (3 p.m. - 6 p.m.)
Plympton-Wyoming
County of Lambton Administration Building - Wyoming
Wednesday, November 19 (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Wyoming Fairgrounds Building - Wyoming
Wednesday, November 26 (3 p.m. - 6 p.m.)
St. Clair
Port Lambton Community Centre - Port Lambton
Monday, November 10 (3 p.m. - 6 p.m.)
Thompson Gardens - Corunna
Wednesday, November 19 (3 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
Sarnia
Marshall Gowland Manor - Sarnia
Monday, October 27 (10 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
Strangway Community Centre for Adults - Sarnia
Friday, October 31 (1 p.m. - 4 p.m.)
Ontario Early Years Centre - Lambton College Site (North Building)
Monday, November 10 (10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)
Lambton College - Sarnia
Friday, November 14 (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
Tuesday, November 25 (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
Monday, December 1 (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
Coronation Park Best Start Hub - Sarnia
Tuesday, November 18 (3 p.m. - 6 p.m.)
Pathways Health Centre for Children - Sarnia
Tuesday, November 18 (12 p.m. - 6 p.m.)
Tuesday, December 2 (12 p.m. - 6 p.m.)
Inn of the Good Shepherd - Sarnia
Wednesday, November 19 (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
Lambton Mall - Sarnia (Sports Mart Entrance)
Friday, November 28 (1 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
Saturday, November 29 (1 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
Friday, December 5 (1 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
Saturday, December 6 (1 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
Friday, December 12 (1 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
Saturday, December 13 (1 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
Warwick
Watford Quality Care - Watford
Tuesday, November 4 (3 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
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