Want to get the flu shot for free? Head down to Ladysmith’s annual Health and Community Services Fair this coming Friday (Nov. 1).
The fair takes place between 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. at Ladysmith Secondary School and is free of charge to enter.
“Our biggest attraction is the flu vaccine, and last year over 500 people got it,” said Heather Dunne from the Ladysmith Community Health Centre.
Public Health nurses will be present to conduct the immunizations to those who are eligible, something Dunne says is part of their “day-to-day duties.”
She was also keen to underline the health fair’s attraction to the younger generation.
“We’ll have a youth sexual health clinic going on, so the health fair is very much for the younger population as well,” she said. “This is something we’re trying to encourage, as it’s not only for seniors. There’s lots of information and programs for the youth.”
“We have a respiratory company coming and a presentation on lung health and how to maintain your lungs,” added Dunne, who is a member of Vancouver Island Health Authority. “There will be information on how to use certain gadgets if your asthmatic, such as an inhaler. There will also be screenings on diabetes and blood glucose on how to prevent and manage it, for example.”
In an e-mail to the Chronicle, the health centre stated that the purpose of the health fair is:
• to provide preventive health services and promote health and wellness through education and screening and a public health flu immunization clinic
• to engage and inform the community about the many local health and wellness resources available
• to promote awareness and collaboration among Ladysmith health and community services provider.
On the latter, Dunne said she is looking forward to uniting a variety of local health service teams.
“It’s good to bring the community and health services providers together. That way, they can learn more about each other and how people change and differ in their jobs”
This year’s fair comes with a brand-new door prize, where participants can win a variety of gifts such as bracelets donated by Cowichan Valley Hospice Society, jackets, art cards, cooking books and gift certificates for Tim Hortons.
“The library is also going to be there, and people can use the library to populate e-books,” said Dunne. “Lifeline and Pharmasave will also have tables.”
The deadline for table registration has passed, but Dunne encouraged anyone who still wishes to register a place at the fair to contact her at 250-739-5777.