HSN and health unit encourage flu shots with contest

Health Sciences North and the Sudbury and District Health Unit teamed up Monday morning to launch their new Got My Flu Shot campaign.

To encourage more people to get their flu shots this year, both organizations will give away gift cards for local grocery stores, and the opportunity to win a Nike+ FuelBand after getting your flu shot.

The health unit and hospital will give away T-shirts to people who get their flu shot early.

People who get the T-shirts are encouraged to take a photo of themselves with it on, and tweet the image to @SD_PublicHealth or @HSN_Sudbury with the hashtag #StopTheFlu to enter the contest for up to $350 in groceries and a Nike+ FuelBand.

Lisa Schell, the health unit's manager of clinical and family services, said the flu shot is of “paramount importance” for anyone over six months of age.

During last year’s flu season, more than 10,000 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza were reported in Ontario. Every year, complications from the flu led to as many as 3,700 hospitalizations and more than 250 deaths in Ontario.

Research estimates that, each year, Ontario’s Universal Influenza Immunization Program prevents 300 deaths, 1,000 hospitalizations, 30,000 emergency department visits, and 200,000 visits to a doctor’s office.

Schell said the health unit administers anywhere from 7,000 to 9,000 flu shots a year in Sudbury and the surrounding region. That represents about 10 to 15 per cent of the total flu shots administered in the region.

In addition to health unit offices, people can get their flu shot from their family doctor, walk-in clinics and 46 participating pharmacies in the Greater Sudbury region.

“The flu shot is the single most effective method to prevent the spread of flu, especially among seniors,” said Dr. Janet McElhaney, a geriatrician and medical lead for seniors care at Health Sciences North, in a press release. “The flu can be very serious for young children and seniors, so we encourage everyone to get the flu shot, not only to protect themselves but to help protect others.”