10/23/2009

Toronto Public Health is encouraging everyone to get immunized against the H1N1 flu virus at free public clinics beginning October 29 for high risk groups.

The clinics will run for approximately six weeks in 10 locations across the city.

The clinics are open to those who would benefit most from early vaccination. These groups include:

• People with chronic medical conditions under the age of 65

• Healthy children from six months to five years old

• Care providers and household contacts of persons at high risk who cannot be immunized or may not respond to vaccines

• Health care workers

• Pregnant women - adjuvanted vaccine is available for women who are more than 20 weeks pregnant. Women less than 20 weeks pregnant and who do not have an underlying medical condition may wish to wait until unadjuvanted vaccine is available. For more information read the Toronto Public Health Fact Sheet: H1N1 Information for Pregnant & Breastfeeding Women. 

This group of people at highest risk are encouraged to attend H1N1 vaccination clinics starting October 29, 2009.

Toronto Public's website will advise when the clinics will open to the general public.

The nearest vaccination clinic is the East York Civic Centre, at 850 Coxwell Avenue. For a full list and details of clinic hours and locations, visit www.toronto.ca/health.

For more information read the Public Health Agency of Canada Backgrounder on Vaccine Myths.

Vaccination is the most effective way to help prevent the flu. There are other steps you can also take to help prevent the flu:

- Wash or sanitize your hands frequently and thoroughly

- Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue, not your hand

- Avoid touching your eyes, mouth or nose

- Do not share personal items

- Stay home if you are ill.