Woodland Villa to host flu shot clinic for community
Friday, November 17, 2006 -- Natalie Miller
Now that Woodland Villa residents have received their flu shots and the staff immunization program has begun, the Long Sault long-term care home is planning to hold a clinic for community members to get the shot.

Debbie Kitchen, Woodland Villa’s director of care, says this is the second year the home has offered the community service.

“If our residents and staff are taken care of, why not share,” says Debbie.

She notes the Eastern Ontario Health Unit, the local distributor of the flu shots, told her she could apply to receive a third batch of the vaccine to host the community clinic.

“In Long Sault, it’s easier (for area seniors) to come to us” rather than make the trip to Cornwall. As well, she says it’s important families and visitors have the opportunity to get the shot because they’re “coming and going out of the building.”

Debbie expects about 95 to 98 per cent of the nursing home’s 140 employees will get the flu shot. She says the home does have staff unable to take the shot because of allergies.

The Province launched Nov. 16 its annual free Universal Influenza Immunization Program at the Toronto Dominion Centre in downtown Toronto.

“The flu is one thing you can’t afford to get, so receiving a free flu shot is certainly a smart thing to do to protect yourself and others,” says Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman in a news release.

“The flu spreads easily and can lead to serious illness for the very young and the elderly. In fact, most people don’t realize that the influenza virus is one of the leading causes of death in Ontario. Get vaccinated.”

In its seventh year, the program provides free flu shots to anyone aged six months or older who lives, works or attends school in Ontario. Flu shots are available across the province through doctors' offices, employer-sponsored clinics, public health units, local pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care homes, Community Health Centres and Community Care Access Centres.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care provides these facts about the flu:

- Influenza (commonly known as "the flu") is a serious, acute respiratory illness that is caused by a virus.

- People who get influenza can have a cough, fever, chills, sore throat, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. Illness due to influenza usually lasts from two to seven days, but can last longer. The cough and fatigue can persist for several weeks, making the return to routine personal and work activities difficult.

- Influenza can lead to pneumonia, hospitalization, and even death in some people, particularly the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions, such as heart or lung problems.

- Influenza spreads by respiratory droplets mainly from infected persons through coughing and sneezing.

- It may also spread through direct contact with contaminated surfaces, unwashed hands, or objects such as toys and eating utensils contaminated by the influenza virus.