The Sudbury and District Health Unit is now offering both the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 flu vaccine through booked appointments and community clinics.

The vaccines are available to anyone over the age of six months who wants to be immunized. The seasonal vaccine is different from the H1N1 vaccine and will protect only against the seasonal influenza virus.

Symptoms of the flu include fever, runny eyes, headache, sore throat, extreme weakness, chills, cough, stuffy nose, muscle aches, and fatigue, stated a press release from the health unit.

The elderly may not have a fever. Children can also have earaches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The cough and fatigue can last for several weeks.

People of any age can get the flu. Illness due to influenza usually lasts from two to seven days and sometimes longer in the elderly and in people with chronic diseases. Most people who get influenza are ill for only a few days. However, some people can become very ill and need to be admitted to hospital.

“It’s important to remember that the flu season lasts all winter long, and that the best protection is to get your flu shots,” said Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Sudbury and district medical officer of health, in a press release.

Many family physicians throughout the Health Unit’s service area are also providing both H1N1 and seasonal flu shots. People should call ahead to see if the vaccine is available and to make appointments.

For the community clinic schedule and up-to-date information about the H1N1 and seasonal influenza vaccine, visit www.sdhu.com or phone 522-9200.