Flu vaccinations are now available across the province.
They are free to groups including the elderly, the very young, and those with weakened immune systems or other chronic health conditions.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell says everyone is encouraged to get a shot.
In an effort to decrease the risk of getting influenza, it is recommended that you clean your hands often, cough and sneeze into your arm, and stay home if you are sick.
During the 2017-18 influenza season, there were over 2700 lab confirmed cases of influenza. 690 people were hospitalized, 50 people died and 62 others were admitted to the intensive care units.
The full list of who is able to receive the flu shot for free is as follows:
adults and children with chronic health conditions:
o cardiac or pulmonary disorders (including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis and asthma);
o diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases;
o cancer, immune compromising conditions (due to underlying disease and/or therapy);
o renal disease;
o anemia or hemoglobinopathy;
o neurologic or neurodevelopment conditions. These include seizure disorders, febrile seizures and isolated developmental delay in children and neuromuscular, neurovascular, neurodegenerative, neurodevelopmental conditions and seizure disorders in adults, but excludes migraines and neuropsychiatric conditions without neurological conditions;
o conditions that compromise the management of respiratory secretions and are associated with an increased risk of aspiration;
o morbid obesity (body mass index greater than 40); and
o children and adolescents (ages six months to 18 years) undergoing treatment for long periods with acetylsalicylic acid, because of the potential increase of Reye’s syndrome associated with influenza.
people of any age who are residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities;
people 65 and older;
healthy children six months to 18 years;
pregnant women;
aboriginal people;
people capable of transmitting influenza to those at high risk:
o household contacts (adults and children) of individuals at high risk of influenza-related complications (whether or not the individual at high risk has been immunized), as listed above;
o household contacts of infants younger than six months;
o household contacts of children six months to 59 months;
o members of a household expecting a newborn during the influenza season;
o health-care workers.
