Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are now available at participating local pharmacies and healthcare providers for anyone over six months of age.
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The updated KP.2 COVID-19 vaccine is recommended if it has been six months since your last dose or COVID-19 infection. The updated vaccine will provide the best protection for the strains of COVID-19 expected to circulate this fall and winter, said Dr. Rebecca Comley, medical officer of health for the Brant County Health Unit.
“Vaccination is a key step in protecting not just ourselves, but our community, as well,” Comley said in a media release. “I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to get vaccinated and help reduce the spread of these viruses.”
Both influenza and COVID-19 are viruses that affect the lungs and can cause serious illness, especially in more vulnerable populations, such as young children and the elderly. These are different from the common cold.
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The health unit recommends the following to protect yourself and your family from respiratory illness:
- Stay up to date with immunizations for flu, COVID-19, and RSV, if eligible.
- Stay home when you are sick and keep your children home if they are sick.
- Wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
- Disinfect high-touch surfaces in your home and workplace.
Comley said it’s safe and convenient to receive both the COVID-19 and annual flu shots at the same time, reducing the need for multiple visits to a doctor, nurse practitioner or local pharmacy.
In an effort to keep residents informed on respiratory activity in Brantford-Brant, the health unit has launched its Seasonal Respiratory Dashboard for 2024-25 at bchu.org/statistics-and-reports/seasonal-respiratory-surveillance/ .
For more information on immunizations, visit bchu.org/immunization
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