Flu shot campaign set to kick off

With the weather getting cooler, it is just another reminder that flu season is quickly approaching.

An Interior Health flu vaccination campaign is set to kick off next Tuesday.

The flu is highly contagious and can cause complications for those with heart, lung and other health problems.

The flu shot is free for:
• People 65 years and older and their caregivers/household contacts
• Children and adults with chronic health conditions and their household contacts
• Children and adolescents (6 months to 18 years) with conditions treated for long periods of time with Acetylsalicylic acid and their household contacts
• Adults who are very obese
• Aboriginal people
• Healthy children age 6-23 months
• Household contacts and caregivers of infants age 0-23 months
• Pregnant women who will be in their third trimester during influenza season and their household contacts (pregnant women who are in other high risk groups can be immunized at any time during the pregnancy)
• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities
• Health care and other care providers in facilities and community settings who are capable of transmitting influenza to those at high risk of influenza complications
• Inmates and staff of provincial correctional institutions
• People who work with live poultry and/or swine

The flu shot is 70% to 90% effective in preventing influenza in health children and adults.

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Those not eligible for the free flu shot should contact their physician, local pharmacy, walk-in clinic or private provider.

To find a flu clinic near you, head to http://www.interiorhealth.ca