Lambton offering COVID-19 vaccine, flu shots for high-risk population groups

Separate flu and COVID-19 vaccines became available this week for Lambton residents health unit officials say are more at risk for severe negative health outcomes during respiratory illness season.

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Starting Oct. 5, vaccine appointments became available for people age 65 and older, between six months and four years old, who are pregnant, who’re from a First Nation, Inuit or Métis – and their household members – healthcare workers, first responders , and individuals with chronic health conditions, public health officials said.

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It’s the first year both shots have been offered at the same time, said health protection supervisor Crystal Palleschi, who noted receiving both is safe.

“After we have prioritized some doses for long-term care homes and the hospital, we do have some vaccines that we can be providing in our clinics as well,” she said.

“We want to have the highest risk populations protected as soon as possible as we go into the respiratory season.”

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Both vaccines become available to the general population Oct. 30, officials said.

“Staying up to date on the vaccines is the best way to protect yourself,” Palleschi said, adding people can also stay home when feeling sick, practice good hand hygiene, and consider wearing a mask in public spaces.

“Especially if you’re one of the high-risk populations,” she said.

Lambton, last flu season, administered nearly 4,300 influenza vaccinations at public health clinics, 36 pharmacies administered more than 17,000, and health care providers vaccinated about 8,000, public health officials said.

There were 76 confirmed influenza cases, all but two influenza A, three confirmed outbreaks in the community, and no fatal cases, officials said.

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No flu cases have been confirmed yet this fall, officials said.

The available COVID-19 vaccine targets the XBB 1.5 variant, Palleschi said.

The vaccine is “most closely related to the circulating variants at this time and is expected to provide the best protection,” she said.

Lambton, like other areas of the province, is experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases, public health officials said.

As of the health unit’s most recent update, Sept. 27, there were five long-term care and retirement homes in outbreak because of COVID-19 in Watford, Sarnia and Petrolia.

There had been 179 deaths in the community from COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.

More details are at lambtonpublichealth.ca.

Vaccination appointments can be booked at getthevaccine.caor by calling 226-254-8222, officials said.

[email protected]

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