2021 FLU SHOTS ARE NOW IN!!!

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Dear Patients,

We are being very strategic about the organization of this effort to ensure that the safety of all involved is paramount and that all guidelines are fully respected.  

We currently plan to have TWO Saturday Flu clinics a month during the Flu season. Of course this will depend entirely on when our office receives "the serum" from Public Health and if those supplies are replenished. Continue to watch the website and listen to the phone announcement for details.

We will be updating this announcement with each following flu clinic as we can provide supply from Public Health to host that effort. 

We will attempt to utilize the sidewalk along the Queensway in front of our clinic.  In the event of inclement weather or simply cold temperatures we can also aim to host this effort inside our clinic from the large conference room. Patients should plan to "dress for the weather" and under their outer garments they should wear a short sleeved tee shirt so their injection site can be easily and efficiently accessed. 

All COVID-19 social/physical distancing policies will be in effect. PLEASE  DO NOT ATTEND OUR CLINIC IF YOU HAVE ANY RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS, or if you have had any known exposure to COVID19 and are still within the quarantine period.  We will send further instructions with our date confirmation. We advise everyone to use the Canadian tracking app for COVID exposure.  You can download this by going to Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Points to Consider:

-  High Dose (FLUZONE) is for patients 65 years and older or the Immunocompromised. It is NOT the "better" vaccine.  In fact, it has less variety of coverage in it compared to the regular vaccine.  It does however have more concentrated dosing to ensure that an individual with a less responsive immune system will still mount a proper and adequate response to the real flu virus should they come in contact with it. This higher concentration does NOT benefit the person with an adequate and fully responsive immune system. 

-  In the Past Children had a nasal spray version of the vaccine and while it was more convenient in the fact that it did not require a needle for delivery it did have other specific concerns.  At present no Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine is available for the 2022 flu session in Ontario. 

- While we will aim to provide all willing patients a chance to receive a flu vaccine immunization this session supplies are limited and we will continue to stock it throughout the flu session.  Please be patient with us as we secure as many doses as we can as rapidly as we can from Public Health in order to ensure your coverage from the flu. If you are unable to attend a flu clinic we will also aim to offer the vaccines on regular visits, and most pharmacies supply the vaccines as well. 

- During Flu Clinic, please park your car in the 773 The Queensway Complex and make your way to the front east side of the complex along the Queensway towards the entrance of the clinic. Please dress for the occasion and wear a short sleeved shirt under your coat. Patients must be wearing a mask to receive a flu shot and partake in the clinic immunization procedure.  The MDs and staff will be administering the shots,  please wait your turn patiently. If you have any changes to your health card, email address, phone number, please call the office in advance so that we have accurate information on file at the time of the clinic so as not to slow progress and take away from the best efforts towards efficiency.

We appreciate that these are difficult times, and we are attempting to provide the safest and most timely administration of this year's Flu Shot. We are confident that by working together we can make the best provisions for everyone's health and safety.

Continuing to keep you safe and well protected,

Sincerely,

doc on the block FHO