BY MARC LALONDE

The Chronicle

It’s that time of year again - the leaves are turning colours, the apples are being picked and Halloween decorations are up in stores. Temperatures are dropping, sweaters are being worn and the kids are back in school. Yes, it’s fall, and as far as the West Island Health and Social Service Network and the Montreal Public Health Department are concerned, it’s time to start thinking about getting flu shots.

“We have antibodies to fight two new strains of influenza virus,� said Public Health representative Dr. Renée Paré. “We have given the vaccine two extra layers of protection against viruses,� she added.

The flu vaccine is recommended for anyone who falls into the ‘vulnerable,’ category including children aged six to 23 months and their parents, seniors over 60 and anyone with a chronic illness — such as heart disease, diabetes, pulmonary diseases, cancer or paralysis, which would prevent the patient from coughing or expectorating properly, Paré said.

The provincial flu-shot campaign will kick off Nov. 6, but it’s never too early to start thinking about it, Paré said.

“We will be offering the vaccine throughout the month of November. It’s a little later than last year because we had a small delay with one of the new antibodies, but we will be offering the vaccine throughout the month,� she said — just in time for the onset of flu season of December and January.

“We want people to have the shots so they are properly inoculated for the holidays and for all the parties that come with the,� Paré said, because where people gather, so do influenza germs.

Paré stressed that not everyone eager to get inoculated should rush to their local CLSCs on Nov. 6.

“We wouldn’t have enough vaccine for everyone if everyone were to show up on Nov. 6,� she said, adding anytime during the month of November is OK to get vaccinated because the vaccine takes two weeks to take hold inside your body — putting those who got the shot in a comfortable place before the holidays get up and running.

In addition, she said, seniors over 65 should also think about getting a pneumococcal vaccine at the same time.

West Island Health Network manager of ambulatory services Carole Allard said her staff is looking to vaccinate 19,000 patients —an increase of 1,000 over last year, she said.

“In the West Island, the public is aware. They are well informed and always try to make sure they are protected. We vaccinated a good 18,000 people last year. I have a feeling we’ll reach 19,000 this time around,� she said.

For more information about the flu-shot campaign, or to schedule a vaccination, call CLSC Lac St. Louis at 514-697-4110 or CLSC Pierrefonds at 514-626-2572.