Health Minister Lela Evans is encouraging residents to get their flu shots to help protect against a surge in Influenza A that has killed three children in Ontario and has resulted in increased hospitalizations and complications.

Public Health officials say the strain of the flu has already shown up in this province and they’re advising people, particularly children and seniors, to get vaccinated.

Minister Evans knows it’s a busy time of year, but she’s setting an example by booking her own vaccination as soon as possible.

“That’s one thing I’m going to do today,” says the minister, “because we’re in the Christmas season, there are so many people socializing, coming into contact with each other, and we need to protect the vulnerable people in our population.”