The flu season is upon us, and doctors are reminding everyone to get their annual flu shot.
The first supply of vaccines has arrived, and this year, health officials in B.C. are hoping to make things a little less traumatic for younger children by offering an alternative to the needle.
The nasal spray influenza vaccine is recommended for children aged two to 17-years old.
Vancouver Coastal Health was the only health authority that offered flu mist as a trial last season.
The nasal vaccine was chosen by the majority of parents over the traditional flu shot and was preferred by health officials because of how easy it is to administer.
Another novelty this year is that people visiting health care facilities are now eligible for free influenza vaccine.
Last year, there was a requirement for doctors, staff, students and volunteers to get immunized or wear a mask while at work during the influenza season.
“We had a huge increase in the vaccination rate among health care workers,” says medical health officer Dr. Meena Dawar. “It went up to about 80 per cent, which is great. We never see such high vaccination rate among health care workers. We just wanted to build on that policy by also preventing influenza in visitors.”
Influenza vaccine is recommended for everybody and is provided for free to those at high risk of influenza complications — those in contact with people at high risk (including health care workers), and essential community service providers. People at high risk of influenza complications include children 6 months to 5 years old, pregnant women, seniors 65 and older, and people with underlying health conditions.
In its latest update, the World Health Organization said, overall influenza activity in North America remained at low levels throughout the region. In Canada and the United States of America, influenza activity remained at interseasonal levels.
With files from Grace Ke
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