What is Influenza?
Influenza (commonly known as "the flu")
is a serious respiratory infection that is
caused by the influenza virus. The flu is
spread easily through coughing, sneezing
or through touching contaminated surfaces
or objects like unwashed hands, toys and
eating utensils. The flu
can be prevented by getting the flu
vaccine every year and by practicing good
hand washing.
The
Vaccine
The flu shot is free. Each year Peel Public Health organizes free community clinics throughout the Region of Peel. The clinics begin operation in October and run until January of the following year. The days, times and locations of the clinics vary in order to maximize access to the flu clinics.
You may also get a flu shot from your family doctor or many employers organize a clinic right at the workplace.
Who Should Get the Vaccine?
The flu vaccine is for anyone aged 6 months
of age or older.
Hand Washing
Although practicing good hand washing sounds
easy, most people do not wash their hands
properly. Check out the “how to wash your hands” (PDF, 450KB, 1 page) or “how to clean your hands” (PDF, 597KB, 1 page) step-by-step guides then share this information with other family members so that everyone in your home is helping to stop the spread of infection.
Still looking for more information?
The
Flu 
