Toronto Mayor John Tory and Toronto Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa pulled up their sleeves for Team Toronto to receive the vaccine to protect against influenza (flu).
Toronto’s top doctor issued a fresh call for more people to get vaccinated on Wednesday after noting that test positivity rates for the flu have climbed from 8.1% to 10.5% over the past week.
Any test positivity rate over 5%, according to Dr. Eileen de Villa, shows that influenza is spreading within the population and that things appear to be getting worse. According to past patterns, influenza in a region peaks five weeks after it surpasses the five percent threshold, according to a news release issued on Wednesday by Toronto Public Health (TPH).
According to de Villa, the Medical Officer of Health for the City of Toronto, this flu season may reach its highest point in December when families reunite for the holidays.
“Now is the time to get the flu vaccine and get that protective benefit at least around the holiday season,” she added.
‘Get your vaccinations,’ medical officer of health warns, as Toronto battles bad flu season.
The Public Health Agency of Canada states that the flu can be spread from one to person extremely readily through coughing, sneezing, or talking droplets. Another way to contract the flu is by contacting anything or a surface that contains the virus, then touching your own mouth, nose, or eyes. The best method of preventing influenza infection is vaccination.
Clinics run by the City don’t require a health card. Additionally, Team Toronto partners Opens in new window, such as medical facilities and more than 700 partnering pharmacies, offer flu vaccinations.
There are spaces available at six immunisation clinics operated by the City of Toronto throughout Toronto to enable access to these and other potentially life-saving immunizations. At all six locations, flu shots can be obtained without an appointment or on a walk-in basis.
The six City-run immunization clinics are:
- Metro Hall: 214 Wellington St. W., Mondays to Thursdays, noon to 6 p.m. and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Crossroads Plaza: 2625 Weston Rd., Mondays to Thursdays, noon to 6 p.m. and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Thorncliffe Park Community Hub: 45 Overlea Blvd., Mondays to Thursdays, noon to 6 p.m. and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- 1 Eglington Square: Tuesdays to Fridays, noon to 6 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Cloverdale Mall: 250 the East Mall, Tuesdays to Fridays, noon to 6 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Mitchell Field Community Centre: 89 Church Ave., Tuesdays to Fridays, noon to 6 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
From: CCBC News & City of Toronto