Northwestern Ontario Residents โUrged to Protect Against โFall Respiratory Illnesses
KENORA – The Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU)โค is actively encouraging residents โto recieve updated influenza, COVID-19, and โคrespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccinations โคas respiratory illness season begins. health officialsโค emphasize that vaccination remains the most effective defense against severe illness โand potential โhospitalization.
The NWHU servesโ over 173,000 square kilometres of Ontario,โฃ encompassing 19 โmunicipalities andโ 39 First Nations communities.Updated vaccines for influenza,COVID-19,and RSV will be available throughout the region by mid-October.A high-dose influenza โvaccine specifically for individuals aged 65 and โolder will be offered while supplies last, available at โpharmaciesโ and from personal health-care providers in Kenora, Dryden, and Fortโ Frances.
RSV,a common seasonal virus,typically causes mild symptoms but can lead to hospitalization,particularly โin vulnerable โpopulations. Symptomsโฃ include coughing, sneezing, wheezing, fever, and a runny nose. According to Sandra Krikke, infectious diseases manager for the NWHU, theโ unit reported one RSV outbreak in a facility during 2024 โขand has โalready documented two outbreaks so far in 2025.
the RSV vaccine is currently available to all residents 75 years of ageโ and older within the NWHUโฃ catchment area.โ
Residents can book vaccination appointments online through the NWHUโค website: https://www.nwhu.on.ca/our-services/vaccines-and-immunizations/booking-a-fall-respiratory-vaccine-appointment/. Information on fall โrespiratory vaccines is also available from the Thunder โBay district Healthโ Unit โคat https://www.tbdhu.com/fallvax2025.