Northerners are urged to make getting a flu shot part of their holiday preparation, especially for young children under the age of five. This weekend, many communities will have Northern Health drop-in influenza clinics for children.
The influenza (flu) virus has arrived in BC, and with it, increased risk of severe illness or hospitalization for vulnerable members of our communities. In BC, everyone six months and older is recommended to get an annual influenza vaccine, especially those at greatest risk from infection including children under five years of age, adults 65 years and older, pregnant people and those with some chronic conditions.
“As families prepare for the holidays, we strongly recommend they get their children and themselves vaccinated for influenza as soon as possible as it takes about two weeks for the vaccination to be fully effective. Local teams are working hard to provide drop-in options for families this Friday and Saturday. Booked appointments for influenza vaccines continue to be available,” says Dr. Jong Kim, Chief Medical Health Officer at Northern Health.
Children under nine years of age who receive their first dose of influenza vaccine ever, need a second dose following a four-week interval. Those children who received influenza vaccination in past years require only a single dose.
The influenza vaccine is free and recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older. Influenza vaccines are also available at local pharmacies and some primary-care provider offices.
Northern Health upcoming influenza clinics
Dates and times are subject to change. More information is being added as clinics are scheduled. For the most up-to-date clinic details, visit COVID-19 and flu immunization clinics.