Surrey – Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) are reminding everyone that flu season is fast approaching and the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is the flu shot.
“This is one of those times when ‘going viral’ is not cool,” says Fraser Health Medical Health Officer Dr. Aamir Bharmal. “Instead, help protect vulnerable members of our communities including infants, young children, pregnant women, and people with underlying health conditions, by getting your flu shot.”
Flu shots are recommended for everyone six months of age and older and are available free of cost in B.C. for all children between six months and five years old, seniors 65 years old and older, pregnant women, Indigenous people and individuals with chronic health conditions or compromised immune systems. People who work or live with people who have a higher risk of complications from the flu, and visitors to health care facilities are also eligible for a free vaccine. The intranasal flu vaccine, FluMist, is not available for use in Canada this season. All influenza vaccines available this season will be given by injection.
All B.C. health authorities require their staff, students, volunteers and physicians to get immunized or wear a mask while at work during the flu season. To further protect patients, unvaccinated visitors to all Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health facilities are asked to wear a mask, beginning December 1, 2019. Masks will be available at nursing stations and/or outpatient reception desks.
Flu shots are now available at your doctor’s office, walk-in clinics, public health-led flu clinics and Urgent Primary Care Centres. Anyone five years of age or older can be immunized at a pharmacy. To find a flu clinic near you, click here.
For Fraser Health information about the flu, click here.
