Flu season is rapidly approaching and Island Health is encouraging citizens to get their flu shots early as each year influenza causes more deaths than any other vaccine-preventable illness in Canada, according to the health authority.
Though admittedly not as effective as in years past, “anyone who is eligible to receive the vaccine is still highly recommended to receive the vaccine this year,” said Central Vancouver Island medical health officer Dr. Paul Hasselback.
“In the best years the vaccine might be 70 to 80 per cent effective. Last year it was about 15 to 30 per cent,” he explained.
This year the vaccine is expected to be between 40 and 60 per cent effective.
“It’s not the best vaccine but I’d rather have a 50 to 60 per cent improvement on my chances of not getting influenza than none,” Hasselback said. “It is still the best way of preventing influenza. It’s still the way that we will reduce morbidity, hospitalizations, sickness, mortality, death amongst those people who are vulnerable — by providing the vaccine and also getting the vaccine so that we don’t spread it ourselves to those we live, work or play with who might be vulnerable.”
Flu shots are free for people over 65 and children and adults with chronic health conditions and their caregivers and household contacts. Shots are also at no cost for health care workers, pregnant women, children aged six months to five years and household caregivers of children under six months old, residents and visitors to nursing homes and chronic care facilities.
Aboriginal people, obese people, corrections officers and those who provide care or service in a potential outbreak setting also qualify for a free flu shot.
“If we provide a circle of protection around individuals who are vulnerable, that helps as well,” Hasselback said.
Those who find themselves outside the eligible group are still encouraged to get a flu shot, they’ll just have to pay a “nominal” fee for it, according to Island Health.
Flu shot clinics begin the first week of November.
The shots can be obtained at doctors’ offices, pharmacies and Island Health’s public health units — and in many locations appointments are not required.
Visit www.islandfluclinics.ca to find a clinic or call your doctor or health unit for an appointment.
