Members of the Gray Bruce Health Unit board rolled up their sleeves recently for a few snaps – one by the head of the health unit and one by a camera.

The images are used to promote the availability of the influenza vaccine.

The health unit had its staff vaccination clinic at the end of October.

Brian Milne, Deputy Mayor of the Township of Southgate received his vaccine from Dr Ian Arra, Gray Bruce’s medical officer of health, as well as Chris Peabody, Mayor of the Municipality of Brockton.

The flu shot is now available from physicians, family health teams and nurse practitioner offices as well as participating pharmacies.

“In a normal year, the flu shot is essential to protect many of Ontario’s most vulnerable people, but in the face of a pandemic, too, staying protected is even more important,” said the medical officer of health, the Dr Ian Arra.

The flu shot takes two weeks to work. The flu season generally runs from late fall to early spring.

COVID-19 AND INFLUENZA

Some of the symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to those of the flu, the health unit said, and it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone.

If you think you have COVID-19, you can get tested. The health unit is advising the public that if you have symptoms, you should stay home and self-isolate for 14 days or until you get your results.

If you don’t have COVID-19, you could have the flu or another respiratory illness.

COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time as the flu vaccine, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization said.

Flu symptoms typically appear one to four days after a person has been exposed to the virus, but people are contagious even before they have symptoms, according to the press release.

The disease usually takes its course in seven to ten days and symptoms include fever, chills, cough, runny eyes, stuffy nose, sore throat, headache, muscle pain, extreme weakness and fatigue, and loss of appetite.

Diarrhea and vomiting are more common in children than adults, the health unit said, stressing that the flu – a respiratory illness – is not linked to other gastrointestinal illnesses such as the Norwalk virus. .