Officials with the Interior Health Authority are urging Okanagan residents to get flu vaccines this fall.
While some who have the flu do not show many symptoms, there are concerns about spreading the disease to those who are more vulnerable.
“It’s about protecting yourself, but mostly about protecting others,” said Trevor Corneil, a medical health officer with Interior Health.
He said the flu can be serious for those who have weakened immune systems.
“Those with chronic conditions are at risk of becoming very sick,” he said.
“Every year there are thousands of deaths across North America, just from the flu.”
The Interior Health Authority is once again offering immunization clinics.
The vaccine is free for adults 65 and older and their caregivers, children between six and 59 months, pregnant women, obese people, health care workers and first responders.
Pharmacies including Pharmasave and Shopper’s Drug Mart also offer flu vaccines. Summerland Medicine Centre held a vaccine clinic earlier this fall.
Earlier this fall, two seasonal flu vaccines were pulled from distribution.
Novartis temporarily withheld the vaccines in October after anomalies were found in some batches of the vaccines.
By the end of last week, Health Canada authorized the use of the vaccines.
Corneil said there are several manufacturers of flu vaccines and in British Columbia, 90 per cent of the vaccines come from other manufacturers.
Flu vaccine clinics in Summerland will be offered on Tuesday, Nov. 13 and Tuesday, Dec. 4 from noon to 6 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 15244 Victoria Rd. N. No appointment is necessary.
