The Sudbury and District Health Unit has distributed nearly 40,000 flu vaccine doses throughout the community since October.
The vaccine is available at long-term care homes, clinics, doctors' offices and 51 pharmacies across Greater Sudbury.
The health unit hosted flu vaccine clinics at its Paris Street office until Nov. 10, but Shannon Dowdall-Smith, a manager with the health unit's clinical and family services division, said anyone can still book an appointment for a free vaccine by calling 705-522-9200 or visiting sdhu.com.
“The flu vaccine is recommended for everybody,” Dowdall-Smith said. “The more people that get the flu vaccine the better the immunity in the community.”
Although people of all ages can become ill with influenza, some people do suffer severe complications including ear infections, pneumonia, and even death.
The elderly, those with chronic medical conditions, and children between the ages of six and 59 months are at a higher risk for developing influenza-related complications.
This season's vaccine provides protection against two Type A influenza strains and one Type B strain.
The flu season typically starts as early as mid-October, although Sudbury doesn't often see its first cases until December. The flu season usually ends around mid-April.
It takes two weeks for the flu vaccine to give a person full immunity.
