Health units across the region are getting ready for the flu shot season. It usually starts in November.
A flu shot is the best way people over six months of age can protect themselves and their families from getting sick.
The flu shot is available now for those at high risk of complications from influenza. Those shots will be administered at doctors' offices, pharmacies, and health unit locations or clinics.
To protect against the flu and help stop the spread of influenza, all children and adults are urged to wash hands with soap thoroughly and often, keep surfaces and items disinfected, cough or sneeze into your sleeve, stay home if you are sick, and get a flu shot.
People at higher risk of influenza complications include: - Children aged 6 months to less than 5 years of age - People aged 65 and older - Children and adults with chronic medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, cancer) - Residents of long-term care and retirement homes, or other chronic care facilities - Pregnant women - Indigenous people
Health care workers, household contacts of a person in a high-risk group, and people who provide care to children under 5 years of age are also urged to get a flu shot as soon as possible.
FluMist will be available free for children ages 2-17. It’s a nasal spray of live influenza vaccine that protects against four strains. FluMist is available through your family doctor’s office and at health unit clinics. FluMist may also be available at some pharmacies; call ahead to confirm.