Flu season is approaching and public health nurses across Interior Health are gearing up for the launch of this year’s influenza (flu) vaccination campaign.
Public flu clinics will begin administering the flu shots next week in Chase and throughout the Shuswap area on a drop-in basis.
Influenza is a highly contagious infection and can be very serious, especially for those with heart, lung and other health problems. In years when influenza is widespread in B.C., hundreds of people may die from influenza or complications, such as pneumonia.
The flu shot is free of charge for British Columbia residents who are 65 years and older, as well as their caregivers and household contacts, all children age six to 59 months of age, household contacts and caregivers of infants age zero to 59 months of age, children and adults with chronic health conditions and their household contacts, aboriginal people, children and adolescents six months to 18 years with conditions treated for long periods of time with Aspirin or ASA and their household contacts, residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities, pregnant women who will be in their third trimester during influenza season and their household contacts (pregnant women who are in other high risk groups can be immunized at any time during the pregnancy), people who are very obese, health-care and other care providers in facilities and community settings who are capable of transmitting influenza disease to those at high risk of influenza complications, people who provide essential community services (first responders, corrections workers), inmates of provincial correctional institutions, people who work with live poultry and/or swine, and individuals who provide care or service in potential outbreak settings housing high risk persons (e.g., crew on ships).
People ineligible for the free flu vaccine through the publicly-funded program should contact their physician, local pharmacy, walk-in clinic, travel clinic or private provider.
Residents of the North Shuswap can get their vaccination at the North Shuswap Community Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 6.
The clinic will be at the Chase community hall Thursday, Nov. 7 and again on Nov. 8.
If you are unable to attend the clinic on your designated day, you may book an appointment at the Chase Health Centre by calling 250-679-1393.
For more information on whether you qualify for a free flu shot, or general information on the influenza vaccine, visit the Interior Health website at www.interiorhealth.ca.
Information is also available on the Immunize BC website at www.immunizebc.ca, or on HealthLink BC at www.healthlinkbc.ca.
You can also call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 to speak to a health-care professional.
