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Free flu clinics upcoming
The flu is highly contagious and can cause severe complications for the young, old and those with underlying health conditions. Getting ill with the flu can mean several missed days of school, work and other activities.
It is important to get a flu shot yearly because flu viruses change from year to year. Each year the influenza (flu) vaccine is updated to include the current viruses that are circulating. This year’s vaccine contains three different flu strains: A/California/7/2009 (H1N1) pdm09-like A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2)-like virus B/Massachusetts/2/2012-like virus .
Every year Interior Health provides free flu clinics for people at higher risk of catching the flu. If you are eligible for a free flu shot (criteria listed below), the clinics will be held at the Kimberley Centennial Centre on the following dates:
Tuesday, November 5 – 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday, November 14 – 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Flu shots are safe, effective, and provided free for:
People 65 years and older and their caregivers/household contacts ;
People of any age in residential care facilities ;
Children and adults with chronic health conditions and their household contacts ;
Children & adolescents (six months to 18 years) with conditions treated for long periods of time with Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin/ ASA) and their household contacts.
Children and adults who are obese ;
Aboriginal people ;
All children six-59 months of age ;
Household contacts and caregivers of infants and children 0-59 months of age ;
Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy during the influenza season and their household contacts ;
Visitors to hospitals, health centres and residential care facilities;
People who work with live poultry;
Health care and other care providers in facilities and community settings who are capable of transmitting influenza disease to those at high risk of influenza complications;
Individuals who provide care or service in potential outbreak settings housing high-risk persons (e.g., crew on ships) ;
People who provide essential community services (First Responders, Corrections Workers);
Inmates of provincial correctional institutions.
People not eligible for free flu vaccine through the publicly-funded program should contact their physician, local pharmacy, walk-in clinic, travel clinic or private provider.
Interior Health
