You may notice it’s a faster process when you go for your flu shot this year.
The Grey Bruce Health Unit has received almost 100-thousand dollars from the Ministry of Health for new card swiping technology.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Hazel Lynn says just like at the bank or even your doctor’s office, the Health Unit can now swipe your health card and driver’s licence.
All your information is then automatically uploaded electronically.
In the past, nurses at the clinics had to type all that information into the system and Dr. Lynn says it was very time consuming.
Dr. Lynn says your immunization records can now also be shared electronically with your family doctor – again eliminating a cumbersome process of sending forms out.
She says the new electronic system was entirely funded by the province because it’s so efficient and accurate – but she doesn’t know if the money was in any way tied to eHealth.
The new card swipers were used for the very first time at the first seasonal flu clinic of 2009, held at the Grey Bruce Health Unit building in Owen Sound on Oct. 15th.
Dr. Lynn says although the system did crash a number of times, it still worked very well and she’s confident the glitches will be worked out.
She adds about 600 seniors came out to get their flu shot, compared to 650 last year.
The seasonal flu shot is currently only being offered to people over the age of 65, and will be available to the rest of the population after the H1N1 vaccine is rolled out sometime in November.
The next seasonal flu clinic in Grey Bruce is coming up today at Walkerton District Secondary School from 4 to 7 PM.
The rest of the seasonal flu shot clinic schedule:
Thurs. Oct. 22 at Saugeen District Secondary School in Port Elgin from 4 to 7 PM.
Mon. Oct. 26 at Kincardine District Secondary School in Kincardine from 4 to 7 PM.
Thurs. Oct. 29 at the Grey Bruce Health Unit in Owen Sound from 10 AM to 7 PM.
Again, the seasonal flu shot clinics are only for seniors at this time – they are free and no appointments are necessary, but bring your driver’s licence and health card so they can be swiped.