Flu shots across VCH begin next week

VANCOUVER – On Monday, October 25, flu vaccination clinics will be opening their doors at locations across Vancouver Coastal Health to provide flu shots for those who qualify for a free flu vaccine, including the two new qualifying groups – the morbidly obese and all Aboriginal peoples.

"During last year’s pandemic, morbidly obese people were found to be at higher risk of serious illness from influenza, so we want to protect them in future flu seasons," said Dr. Patricia Daly, Vancouver Coastal Health’s Chief Medical Health Officer. "Aboriginal people living on and off reserve have a higher prevalence of the chronic conditions that can increase the risk of serious illness from the flu, which is why they are now included among the eligible groups."

Flu immunization clinics began in Richmond this week, but clinics in Vancouver, on the North Shore and Sunshine Coast, in Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton and Powell River begin rolling out on Monday in some areas and will continue through November and December.

Times, dates and locations of VCH’s public vaccination clinics will be posted online on the province’s flu locator at www.ImmunizeBC.ca and at www.gov.bc.ca/flubc.

The ImmunizeBC site is also accessible at www.vch.ca. As well, clinic dates and locations are available by calling HealthLinkBC at 811.

Every year, the influenza vaccine protects against the three strains of the virus most likely to circulate. This year’s vaccine protects against influenza A/California (H1N1), A/Perth (H3N2), and B/Brisbane. This year, there is no need for a separate H1N1 vaccine because it is part of the seasonal influenza vaccine.

The flu season usually begins circulating in mid-December and continues until April. This year, VCH’s public flu shot clinics will run through October and November at site across the health region.

Those eligible to receive a free flu shot include those at higher risk of complications from the flu:

• Seniors 65 years of age and older
• All residents of nursing homes and chronic care facilities
• Healthy infants between the age of six months and 23 months
• Pregnant women who will be in their third trimester during influenza season
• Adults and children with chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, lung disease including asthma, alcoholism, and HIV/AIDS
• Those who are morbidly obese
• Aboriginal people living on and off reserve

And those who provide care or who have close contact with those at higher risk, including:

• Healthcare and emergency first responders
• Household contacts and care givers of children 0-23 months of age
• Care givers of those 65 years and older and others at higher risk

Some residents are also recommended to get a free pneumococcal vaccination, if they haven’t had a pneumococcal shot before. These individuals include:

• People 65 years and older
• Residents of any age living in residential care, assisted living or other group facilities
• People 2 years of age and older with certain medical conditions
• Homeless persons and injection drug users

View a complete eligibility list for free flu and pneumococcal vaccinations.

Healthy children two years of age and older and adults are not eligible to receive a free flu vaccine. These two groups can purchase a flu shot from pharmacists, walk-in clinics and some physicians. Flu shots are also available for purchase at the VCH Travel Clinic.

VCH is responsible for the delivery of $2.9 billion in community, hospital and residential care to more than one million people in communities, including Richmond, Vancouver, the North Shore, Sunshine Coast, Sea to Sky corridor, Powell River, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.

Trudi Beutel
Public Affairs Officer
604-708-5282
Trudi.Beutel@vch.ca