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9 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,O ctober 31,2019 theifp.ca Cell: 416-989-7809 Dave LoDuca QUALITY BATHROOM RENOVATIONS C C T I L EE RAM I Gold 2018 Halton Hills Serving Halton Hills & surrounding areas. Buy 1, Get 1 Hearing Testing, Hearing Aids • Accessories ARE YOUR EARS 60 YEARS? It's TIME to get them TESTED! Ph: 289-891-8833 120 Mill Street, Georgetown Hearing Testing, Hearing Aids AccessoriesHearing Testing, Hearing Aids and Accessories Volunteering with a Purpose!! STAND BY ME!! YOUR "GIFT OF TIME" CHANGES LIVES! LASTYEAR THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES ALLACROSS CANADAWERE HELPED BECAUSE FRIENDS OF THEARMY CAREDABOUT FAMILIES IN NEED. THEY TOOK TIME OUT OF THEIR BUSY CHRISTMAS SCHEDULES TO STAND BY MEATA CHRISTMAS KETTLE LOCATION. Volunteer Application available online at: http://bttr.im/m3cmf Volunteer Information Evening: Nov 4th, 7:30 PM Place: Georgetown Community Church 271 Mountainview Rd S. Kettle Kick-Off: Thurs Nov 21st, 7:30 PM Place: Georgetown Marketplace Everyone is invited to Join Us! Applications for Assistance: Starting Nov 19th to Dec 13th, 2019 Tues., Wed., & Thurs.: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM Place: Georgetown Community Church, 271 Mountainview Rd S Please Call to Book an Appointment TOGETHERWE CAN MAKEA DIFFERENCE THIS CHRISTMAS For more information contact: Kettle Coordinator: Emily Harman 905-877-1374 ext. 103 Emily_Harman@can.salvationarmy.org Donations towards our Christmas campaign can be mailed to: The Salvation Army, PO Box 199, Georgetown, ON, L7G 4Y5 Giving Hope Today Toy Drive Donations Are Needed by December 16th, 2018 We are especially in need of gifts and gift cards for children and youth ages 10 - 18 years Halton police are investigat- ing following smash-and-grab style break-ins to a pair of busi- nesses in Georgetown Tuesday, Oct. 8. At 12:50 a.m., someone ap- proached a nail salon, located on Main Street North, near Moore Park Crescent, and smashed the front glass door, police said. The intruder entered the busi- ness and stole a small amount of cash from the cash register. The individual then smashed the front glass door of a neigh- bouring hair salon, entered and stole a small amount of cash from the cash register. No employees were present at the time of the break-ins and no suspect description is available. The suspect's vehicle is de- scribed as a 2008-2019 Dodge Cara- van that is black or dark in colour. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Halton police at 905-825- 4747 ext. 2410 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). CRIME POLICE INVESTIGATING FOLLOWING BREAK-INS TO BUSINESSES If you've tried unsuccessfully to get your flu shot because of vaccine shortages, the reasons behind that are two-fold, accord- ing to the Ministry of Health. "The identification of the com- mon influenza strains circulat- ing this year by the World Health Organization (WHO) took longer than usual. One of the strains was identified approximately one month later than usual. This re- sulted in a delay in the manufac- turing of the flu vaccine this year," said David Jensen, media relations coordinator with the Ministry of Health and Long- Term Care. Additionally, there have been production issues with some of the manufacturers of the flu vac- cine, he said. Health care providers and pharmacies will receive their supply of flu vaccines in the com- ing weeks, said Jensen. The distribution of available vaccine did begin at the end of September, as it normally does, for seniors and individuals who are at high risk for flu complica- tions and hospitalization. Concerns have been raised about the upcoming flu season because of Australia's severe sea- son, however, "it is unclear what this means for Ontario given our very different preceding season and inter-season activity." "Monitoring and preparedness for any early or unusual influenza activity in 2019-20 has begun and will continue throughout the sea- son," said Jensen. "The ministry continues to monitor global influ- enza trends and surveillance data, including those in the southern hemisphere." Last year, Halton Region re- ported fewer confirmed flu cases than the year prior. Chart A shows the number of confirmed flu cases over the past five years, however, the actual number of cases is likely more because many infected people don't seek medical attention, or laboratory testing is not done, according to the region. Last year also saw fewer flu outbreaks in long term care facil- ities and retirement homes than the previous year. See Chart B for those numbers from the past five years. DELAYED FLU VACCINES ON THEIR WAY Above: Delayed flu vaccines are on the way to Halton. Top right: Chart A shows the number of laboratory confirmed flu cases reported to Halton Region's public health department over the past five flu seasons. Right, Chart B shows the number of reported flu outbreaks in Halton long-term care facilities and retirement homes in the last five years. Torstar file photo NEWS Halton Region photo