Acting Medical Officer of Health for Hastings Prince Edward Public Health Dr. Ian Gemmell, January 3, 2018 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
The Quinte area flu season has been a mild one so far, but public health officials are still encouraging people to get the flu shot.
So far this flu season two cases of influenza have been reported in the area of Hastings and Prince Edward counties, Belleville, and Quinte West.
Speaking after Wednesday’s board of health meeting, Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ian Gemmell says it’s important to get the vaccine, and he encourages people to go their doctor or local pharmacy.
He says the role of public health seems to be one of providing the vaccine and information.
Referring to the epidemic of influenza H3N2 in the Southern Hemisphere in 2017, Gemmell says getting the flu shot is the “best answer.”
Locally there had been some cases of Influenza A in local long-term care homes.
Medical Resident for Hastings Prince Edward Public Health Piotr Oglaza, January 3, 2018 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quine News)
Medical Resident Piotr Oglaza says the health unit clinics had a good turnout, with more than 1,000 people getting shots. Oglaza says the number of people at the clinics began to decrease once the pharmacies began offering the vaccine.
