SIMCOE MUSKOKA – It’s that time of year when contagious respiratory viruses, such as influenza (flu), COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are on the rise. To protect yourself and those around you, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is reminding people to get vaccinated.  Currently, COVID-19 and flu vaccines are available at participating local pharmacies and some primary care providers throughout the Simcoe Muskoka region for those who are most at risk of severe infection. Starting Monday, Oct. 28, the rest of the general public are recommended to also get vaccinated.

Publicly funded vaccines to protect against the flu and the updated KP.2 COVID-19 vaccine are recommended to everyone aged six months and older. They are available at participating local pharmacies and some primary care providers. Pharmacists can give flu vaccine to children aged two years and older, and COVID-19 vaccine to children aged six months and older.

“Seasonal flu, COVID-19 and RSV are all very contagious respiratory infections that can result in serious illnesses, and we have three safe and effective vaccines to protect against them,” says Dr. Colin Lee, SMDHU associate medical officer of health. “This year, Ontario is also offering protection for all infants against RSV, where previously this has only been available to premature and high-risk babies. RSV can be very serious for babies, with 3,850 requiring hospitalization in the 2022/23 season and 538 of those being admitted to the intensive care unit. RSV immunization reduces the risk of hospitalization by 80 percent. To be protected right away, you can receive multiple vaccines at the same time.”

RSV immunization is available to all infants born in 2024. It is also available for those up to two years of age with certain health conditions. In order to provide best protection, hospitals will start to immunize all newborns shortly after delivery and before they are discharged home from now till around April. If you have a child born in 2024 but have not received RSV immunization because it is only now becoming available, please speak with your health care provider. RSV vaccine is also available to pregnant people at 32 to 36 weeks gestation under certain circumstances to protect the infant when they are born. Please speak with your health care provider if you have questions regarding eligibility.

Publicly funded RSV vaccine is also available through Ontario’s high-risk older adult RSV vaccine program for eligible individuals aged 60 years and older, including people living in long-term care homes, Elder Care Lodges, or retirement homes, people with certain medical conditions through their health care provider.

The health unit has a limited number of appointments for children six months through to four years of age who can't access the COVID-19 and flu vaccines through a local pharmacy or their health care provider. Call Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Getting immunized is one of several important steps in protecting your health this fall and winter. In addition to getting vaccinated, the health unit strongly recommends taking protective steps including staying home when you are sick with any symptoms of respiratory illness and keeping children home from school or child care if they are ill; cleaning hands and disinfecting high-touch surfaces frequently; and wearing a mask in indoor public settings, especially if you are at higher risk of severe infection.

If you are at higher risk of severe COVID‑19 outcomes, and develop COVID-19 symptoms, you should seek testing for COVID‑19 using home rapid antigen tests that are available at some pharmacies and health care providers or you can consult the provincial COVID-19 testing locations website. If you test positive, you may benefit from available antiviral treatments for COVID-19, which must be taken within the first five to seven days of symptom onset. It is best to speak to your health care provider in advance   to discuss a COVID-19 testing and treatment plan before you get infected.

In addition to the protective measures mentioned above, the health unit also recommends that you stay aware of the respiratory viruses circulation in our communities by checking the health unit’s Weekly Respiratory Virus Update which is updated every Wednesday.

For more information, visit our website or contact Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

- 30 -