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October 14, 2010
VICTORIA – Flu season is almost here again and starting on Monday, October 18, the flu vaccine will be available. The Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) encourages everyone to get their flu shots as early as possible to protect yourself and your family throughout the flu season. The vaccine includes the H1N1 strain as well as two other strains predicted to be circulating this year.
VIHA will provide flu immunization clinics in health units across the Island to the following people who are eligible for free flu shots:
• People 65 years of age and over and their caregivers
• Children and adults with chronic health conditions and their household contacts
• Health care workers
• Emergency responders
• Healthy children aged 6-23 months
• Household contacts and caregivers of infants aged 0 - 23 months
• Pregnant women who will be in their 3rd trimester during the influenza season
• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities
• Owners and operators of poultry farms
• Aboriginal peoples
• People who are very obese (those with a body mass index of 40 or greater)
• Corrections officers and inmates in provincial correctional institutions
• Those who provide care or service in potential outbreak settings housing high risk persons (e.g. crew on ships)
Bring your CARE card or other I.D. (valid driver’s license) when you get your flu shot.
While flu shots are free for those 65 and older and those at risk, anyone can benefit from a flu shot. It’s 70 to 90 per cent effective in preventing influenza in healthy children and adults.
People not eligible for the free flu vaccine through the publicly-funded program should contact their family doctor, local pharmacy, walk-in clinic, or travel clinic.
To find out your local clinic schedules or for more information about the flu vaccine, please visit the VIHA web site at: www.viha.ca/flu or call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1.
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For more information contact:
Shannon Marshall
VIHA Communications
250-370-8270 |
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