If you haven't done so yet, now is the time to take action.
The Medical Health Officer for Sunrise Health Region (SHR), Dr. Mandiangu Nsungu, is urging people to be vaccinated for seasonal influenza, and in the case of parents of newborn babies to take advantage of the whooping cough vaccination.
The seasonal influenza vaccine is free of charge and available to all persons wishing to receive it. Mandiangu says Ontario experienced a surge of flu cases the first week of January, well above the expected 2004-09 average.
"There were 1,400 lab confirmed cases of influenza in Ontario in the first two weeks of January. This has prompted concern that influenza illness numbers could rise in Saskatchewan.
"This year's seasonal flu vaccine is a good match to the influenza viruses circulating this year. Vaccination successfully reduces the severity and duration of influenza illness in most people."
The seasonal influenza vaccine will continue to be offered until March 2011 at all local Public Health offices by appointment.
Yorkton Public Health office, 150 Independent Street, will hold special drop-in clinics on February 14 and February 28, 2011 from 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. for parents whose infants are due for their second dose of seasonal influenza vaccine and for anyone wishing to receive the seasonal or whooping cough vaccines.
Cases of pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, were reported early this winter in Sunrise Health Region. The SHR is recommending that all parents and primary caregivers of newborns receive vaccination for whooping cough.
"We are noticing that fewer fathers than mothers have been vaccinated. Fathers of newborns and soon-to-be fathers should contact their nearest Public Health office for whooping cough vaccination as a way of protecting their newborn babies."
Pertussis is a serious bacterial infection of the respiratory (breathing) system. Anyone can get pertussis, but the disease is most severe in children less than one year when it can be fatal.
The disease is also severe in pregnant women in the last trimester of pregnancy as it can be passed to the newborn.
