With respiratory illness season now underway, local health partners are urging residents to protect themselves and ease pressure on the health-care system.
Quinte Health, Southeast Public Health, Hastings-Quinte Paramedics, and the Hastings Prince Edward Ontario Health Team are encouraging everyone to stay up to date on flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines. Officials say vaccines are the best protection against serious illness, especially for people at high risk.
Vaccines are available through Southeast Public Health, local pharmacies, and for eligible children and adults. Homebound residents can receive flu and COVID-19 shots through Hastings-Quinte Paramedics by referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner.
Health officials also remind residents to use the right level of care. The emergency department should only be used for urgent or life-threatening needs. For non-urgent issues, residents can contact their family doctor, visit Health811, or use the East Region Virtual Care Clinic.
Information on local “COVID, cold, and flu clinics” is available on the Ontario Health Team website.
Written by Emily Chatwood
