Fall vaccines now available against respiratory illnesses
Updating vaccination helps us protect each other from the flu, COVID-19, and pneumococcal infections.
As the weather gets colder, respiratory illnesses increase. This year’s flu season is expected to hit earlier. The COVID-19 virus is still circulating and making people sick. Pneumococcal infections are also on the rise in Eeyou Istchee.
Fall is the season to update vaccination against respiratory viruses. People need annual shots or booster doses of certain vaccines to stay protected from viral infections through the winter. This also helps protect each other from severe illness and spreading viruses around.
Vulnerable people in our communities, like pregnant women, newborns, Elders, or people living with chronic diseases or a weakened immune system, are especially at risk of complications from the flu or COVID-19.
Vaccination helps protect our communities and preserve our healthcare system. Let’s keep our circle of protection strong!
Recommendations
- Everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot this fall. Flu shots are now available.
- Everyone 6 months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine. You’re eligible for an updated vaccine if it has been six month or longer since your last vaccine dose or a confirmed COVID infection. .
- Everyone who is 50 and older get the new Prevnar-20 vaccine against pneumococcal infections. This illness is on the rise in our region, and people may be at higher risk after the summer forest fires.
You can get these vaccines at the same time. They protect against different diseases caused by different viruses.
Talk to your healthcare worker about what vaccines you and your family need to prevent respiratory illnesses and stay healthy this winter.
To find out about vaccination in your community, check with your CMC or local Facebook page, creehealth.org, and local radio.
Let’s protect each other from respiratory infections. Get your shots this fall.
Explore more
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. It can cause symptoms such as coughing, fever, and difficulty breathing.
Influenza (flu) is a contagious lung disease caused by the influenza virus. This is a different virus than the one that causes COVID-19.
The flu (influenza) and COVID-19 are both contagious lung infections and lead to similar symptoms, but are caused by different viruses.
Pneumococcal infections are caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as pneumococcus.
A yearly flu shot is recommended in Canada for everyone 6 months and older.
