As the flu season approaches, Marathon Family Health Team is encouraging everyone to stay up to date with their vaccinations. It’s recommended that anyone who is eligible gets vaccinated as soon as possible. This helps protect you and others who can’t get vaccinated, like infants under 6 months or people at higher risk of severe illness.

Why Vaccination is Important

This year, we continue to face the challenge of multiple viruses circulating in our communities, including flu, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect yourself and others from getting sick or having serious complications. Vaccines help stop the spread of disease and protect the health of our entire communities.

Flu, COVID-19 and RSV Vaccines: What You Need to Know

Anyone 6 months and older can get both the flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine this fall. Some people are at higher risk of serious illness, including:

• Babies under 6 months 
• Children under 5 years old, whose immune systems are still developing
• People 65 years and older, whose immune systems may be weaker
• Residents, staff, and caregivers in places like long-term care homes or retirement homes
• Pregnant people, whose immune systems, hearts, and lungs change during pregnancy
• People with health problems like asthma, heart disease, or diabetes
• First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people
• First responders (police, paramedics, etc.)
• People who work closely with animals, like veterinarians

RSV is most dangerous for young babies and older adults, and can lead to serious infections like pneumonia or bronchitis.

The publicly funded RSV protection options include:

• For Infants: There are two safe and effective ways to help prevent RSV, and it’s recommended to choose just one of the following options:
  • Vaccination during pregnancy (for people between 32-36 weeks), OR
  • Monoclonal antibodies given after birth or up to 1 year of age. This option is given by injection and is recommended based on its safety, how well it works, and how long the protection lasts.
• For Children up to 24 months: RSV protection is also available by injection for children with certain medical conditions. 
• For Adults 60 and older who belong to specific groups:
  • Residents of long-term care homes, Elder Care Lodges, or retirement homes
  • Patients in hospital receiving alternate level of care (ALC) or similar services
  • Patients on dialysis (hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis)
  • Recipients of organ or stem cell transplants
  • Those experiencing homelessness
  • First Nations, Inuit, or Métis people

Adults 60 years and older who don’t qualify for the publicly funded program can still purchase the vaccine with a prescription from their family doctor or another healthcare provider.

When and Where to Get Your Flu Vaccine

NOSH and MFHT will host community flu vaccination clinics this fall at Lakeview Community Hall. Clinics will be held on October 24th and November 7th, with appointments available from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

To book an appointment: email [email protected], visit www.mfht.org/vaccine-booking, or call: 807-229-3243.

When and Where to Get Your COVID-19 Vaccine

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is hosting a COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Marathon on November 5th at Lakeview Community Hall from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Flu shots will also be available for those getting the COVID-19 vaccine. To book an appointment, call the local public health office at 807-229-1820.

COVID-19 vaccines are also available at Rida’s Pharmacy. For more information, call 807-232-8090.

When and Where to Get Your RSV Vaccine

MFHT will begin offering RSV vaccine appointments starting in November. More details will be shared when available.

How to Help Prevent the Spread of Illness

Besides getting vaccinated, you can take these steps to reduce the spread of illness:

• Wash your hands often and avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
• Clean surfaces that are touched a lot, like doorknobs and counters.
• Wear a mask, especially if you are sick.

For more information on the flu shot, visit the Government of Ontario’s website: Protection Against COVID-19 and Other Respiratory Illnesses.