City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
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News Release: October 23, 2014
Toronto Public Health launches free flu shot clinics,
encouraging residents to become flu fighters
Flu season has arrived in Toronto and to help residents
reduce their risk, Toronto Public Health is offering free flu shot clinics from
October 23 to November 29 at 13 locations across the city. Flu shots are also
available in doctor's offices and pharmacies in Toronto.
"Everyone is susceptible to getting the flu. Hand
washing, sneezing or coughing into your sleeve and staying home when you are
sick reduces the risk of the flu,” said Dr. David McKeown, Toronto’s Medical
Officer of Health. "Getting the flu vaccine is the best way to stay
healthy and protect yourself, your family and others against the flu."
Influenza, also known as the flu, can spread to others
before symptoms appear. Symptoms include
headache, chills, cough, fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches, fatigue, runny
nose, sneezing, watery eyes and throat irritation.
Millions of Canadians suffer from the flu every year and
over 12,000 individuals are hospitalized each year. While most people recover
within a week to 10 days, the flu can worsen pre-existing medical conditions
including asthma and heart disease, and can develop into more serious health
problems such as pneumonia, and sometimes can even result in death.
Pregnant women are advised to get the flu shot early in
the season, regardless of the stage of pregnancy. Also, young children –
especially those under five – and the elderly are among those at highest risk
of serious illness and complications from the flu.
In addition to getting the vaccine, Toronto Public Health
recommends:
• washing hands frequently
• sneezing and coughing into sleeve if no tissue is
available
• avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth with unclean hands, and
•
staying home when sick.
The flu vaccine is free for persons six months and older
who live, work or attend school in Ontario. For the full schedule of flu
vaccination clinics, call 416-338-7600 or visit http://bit.ly/1FwZ8rs.
Individuals can also book an appointment online at http://www.tphbookings.ca.
This news release is also available on the City's
website: http://bit.ly/1sTFBe1
Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in
North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It
is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently
ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host
City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on
non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and
visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca,
call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.
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