‘It’s not a question of either/or’: Tory encourages residents to get both flu shot, COVID-19 vaccine
Posted November 2, 2021 4:06 pm.
Last Updated November 2, 2021 5:17 pm.
Toronto’s top doctor and the mayor are leading the charge in rolling up their sleeves to get a flu shot as the City of Toronto launches its flu shot campaign.
Mayor John Tory received his flu shot at the city-run mass immunization clinic the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Tuesday.
Speaking at the clinic, Tory says everyone needs to get their flu shot, in addition to the COVID-19 vaccine.
“It’s not a question of either/or,” says Toronto Mayor John Tory, as he rolls up his own sleeve for a flu shot, to encourage everyone to get that shot in addition to their COVID-19 vaccination. @CityNewsTO pic.twitter.com/AnE3dCVn5s
— Mark Douglas (@DouglasCityNews) November 2, 2021
“It’s not a question of either or,” says Tory. “Staying healthy means getting both the COVID vaccine and the flu shot.”
Experts have warned the flu season could be much worse in 2022, compared to last year when there were still many pandemic health restrictions in place.
Toronto’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Eileen de Villa says there were only six cases of influenza confirmed in Toronto Public Health labs last winter — there were 2,771 lab confirmed influenza cases reported the year before. With most health restriction now lifted, it is likely the number of cases returns to somewhere closer to the pre-pandemic total.
The flu shot is free and residents can book an appointment at one of the five mass immunization clinics across the city:
- Cloverdale Mall – 250 The East Mall
- Metro Toronto Convention Centre – 255 Front Street West
- Mitchell Field Community Centre – 89 Church Avenue
- Scarborough Town Centre – 300 Borough Drive
- Woodbine Mall – 500 Rexdale Boulevard
No walk-in appointments will be accepted. People can also book an appointment for their shot at hundreds of local pharmacies and family physicians in the city.
Toronto Public Health had already started distributing flu shots to those at risk of serious illness, which includes those who are experiencing homelessness or in shelters.
De Villa says flu shots are safe to get with the COVID-19 vaccine. Toronto is now up to 84 per cent of the eligible population who has received both doses of the COVID-19 shot.
The Ford government kicked off Ontario’s flu vaccine campaign last month, calling it “one of the largest flu immunization campaigns in the province’s history.”
With files from CityNews reporter Mark Douglas
