Information for the 2020/2021 Influenza Season

According to public health guidelines, Ontario’s Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP) offers influenza vaccine free of charge each year for individuals six months of age and older who live, work or go to school in Ontario.

The vaccine is available at the River Glen Medical Centre, with an appointment, for patients who are rostered in family practice with special consideration for population groups with high risk for complications arising from Influenza.

The influenza vaccine is recommended for people six months of age and over without contraindications.

Per NACI, individuals in the following four groups are particularly recommended to receive the influenza vaccine:

1. Individuals at high risk of influenza-related complications or who are more likely to require hospitalization:

• All pregnant women
• People who are residents of nursing homes or other chronic care facilities
• People ≥65 years of age
• All children 6-59 months of age
• Indigenous peoples
• Adults or children 6 months of age and over with the following chronic health conditions:
• Cardiac or pulmonary disorders
• Diabetes mellitus or other metabolic disease
• Cancer
• Conditions or medication which compromise the immune system
• Renal disease
• Anemia or hemoglobinopathy
• Neurologic or neuro-developmental conditions
• Morbid obesity (body mass index of ≥40)
• Children and adolescents (6 months to 18 years) undergoing treatment with acetylsalicylic acid for long periods

2. Individuals capable of transmitting influenza to those listed in group 1 and/or to infants under 6 months of age:

• Health care workers and other care providers in facilities and community settings
• Household contacts (adults and children) of individuals at high risk of influenza related complications
• Persons who provide care to children ≤59 months of age
• Members of a household expecting a newborn during the influenza season
• Those who provide services within a closed or relatively closed setting to persons at high risk of influenza related complications (e.g. crew on a ship)

3. People who provide essential community services

4. Poultry industry workers

To reduce the risk of severe illness that could potentially arise from co-infection with COVID-19 and influenza, individuals who are at high risk of severe COVID-19 related illness or those capable of transmitting influenza to those at high risk of severe and critical illness related to COVID-19 are particularly recommended to receive the influenza vaccine this fall.

While we are committed to support and serve our patients, we also take the risk of COVID-19 seriously with all proactive measures to limit the spread of the virus and keep our patients, staff and the overall community safe, which is our top priority goal.

Please call for an appointment to get the flu vaccine before coming into the office as we do not offer any walk-in service.

We appreciate your cooperation and we wish you all a nice and safe fall/winter season.

Thank you