Toronto/CMEDIA: As the respiratory illness season gets underway, Toronto Public Health (TPH) is reportedly recommending all eligible residents to get vaccinated against influenza (flu), COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
“Our City is making these free vaccines available and accessible to everyone eligible: just go to a participating pharmacy or primary care provider. By getting vaccinated, each of us plays a role in keeping Toronto safe and healthy,” Councillor Chris Moise (Toronto Centre), Board of Health Chair said.
Minimizing infections leading to severe illness, complications and strain on the health care system, vaccination is an important step that Toronto residents can take to
Dr. Michelle Murti, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, and Councillor Chris Moise (Toronto Centre), Chair of the Board of Health, received earlier today, their COVID-19 and flu vaccines at a local pharmacy.
“Vaccination for COVID-19, flu and RSV not only prevents severe illness but also reduces the strain on our hospitals…most vulnerable in our community. I encourage everyone who is eligible to get their vaccines as part of staying healthy this fall and winter,” Dr. Michelle Murti, Medical Officer of Health said today.
Vaccines are now available across Toronto
Being available at participating pharmacies and primary care providers, Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are free for everyone aged six months and older.
Children aged six months to four years can access Toronto Public Health community clinics.
For eligible people it is safe and convenient to receive flu and COVID-19, and the RSV vaccines at the same time.
Adults aged 75 and older, certain high-risk adults aged 60 to 74, infants in their first RSV season, high-risk children under two years of age and pregnant individuals from 32 to 36 weeks of gestation can access vaccines for RSV.
Hospitals, birthing centres and primary care providers, as well as at Toronto Public Health breastfeeding clinics for infants up to eight months old are providing RSV immunizations to eligible infants and high-risk children. Primary care providers are providing free RSV vaccination to eligible adults.
For more information about community clinics and to book an appointment, visit the Toronto Public Health booking website: www.tphbookings.ca .
Residents who have had COVID-19 or the flu before staying up to date with vaccines is important as protection decreases over time.
Vaccines are updated each year to match the strains expected to circulate. Even when the vaccine is not a perfect match, it still strengthens an individual’s protection, helping prevent serious illness and complications.
Public health officials recommend that everyone who is eligible for a vaccine, especially those at higher risk, roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated to protect themselves, their loved ones and the community.
More ways to protect yourself and others
Besides getting vaccinated, residents are reminded by the public health officials of additional steps to be taken to reduce virus spread for protecting those who are most vulnerable, such as young children and older adults:
- Consider wearing a mask, especially in crowded indoor spaces.
- Stay home when sick.
- Wash hands often.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Choose well-ventilated spaces when possible.
As each layer of protection cumulates best results are provided when used together, especially when respiratory virus activity is high.
People with health concerns such as lung and heart conditions should talk to their health care provider about what to do if they get sick this season by creating a respiratory illness care plan.
More information on layers of protection is available on the City of Toronto’s website: www.toronto.ca/RespiratoryViruses/.
Encouraging everyone to stay up to date on local virus activity through TPH’s respiratory virus surveillance dashboard, TPH offers weekly flu and COVID-19 updates as well as institutional and public hospital respiratory outbreak information.
More information is available on the City’s website: https://www.toronto.ca/integrated-respiratory-diseases-dashboard/.
