Nov 27, 2009 - 05:03 PM

DURHAM -- Beginning Tuesday, seasonal flu shots will be provided at Durham Region Health Department vaccination clinics.

The seasonal flu shot clinics will be at the same locations as the H1N1 sites. The clinics will be open from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, starting Dec. 1. Saturday, Nov. 28 will be the final clinic open on weekends.

 In addition to providing seasonal flu shots, all clinics will also offer H1N1 vaccinations.    The seasonal clinics are open to everyone. 

 Health officials strongly urge people 65 and older to get a seasonal vaccination.

 “Both vaccines are important in order to provide good protection against the influenza strains that are circulating,” explained Dr. Robert Kyle, the Region’s medical officer of health. “Influenza season extends well into the winter, so it’s not too late to receive your vaccination.”

People of all ages can also get the seasonal flu shot from their health-care provider or local walk-in clinic. Some workplaces will also be offering both seasonal and H1N1 vaccination.

Brock vaccination clinic relocates to Cannington Community Centre

Effective immediately, Durham Region Health Department’s community vaccination clinic. located in the Brock Community Health Centre, will move to the Cannington Community Centre, at 91 Elliot St.

“The relocation of this clinic will help us to better accommodate the community as we move to providing seasonal influenza vaccinations at all area clinics,” said Dr. Robert Kyle, Durham Region Medical Officer of Health.

“To date, we’ve vaccinated almost 70,000 people across Durham Region against H1N1, but we’ll now also be offering seasonal influenza vaccine which is available to everyone regardless of age or medical condition.

Operating as a drop-in clinic, the Cannington clinic will be open Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The new clinic is located in a larger facility, which will offer improved parking and accommodate more clients. As the clinic that was located at the Brock Community Health was by appointment only, all appointments previously booked for Dec. 1, 2, 8 and 9 will be honoured at the new Cannington clinic location.

H1N1 vaccination will continue to be available at all community vaccination clinics, as well as at most family physicians’ offices, walk-in clinics or community health centres. To date, the health department has distributed over 96,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine to local health care providers. Individuals who have not received their H1N1 vaccination are encouraged to do so, as currently, H1N1 is still the most common influenza circulating in the community.

For more information on clinic locations and hours, H1N1 influenza or seasonal influenza, call Durham Health Connection Line at 905-666-6241 or 1-800-841-2729, or visit www.durham.ca.