Protect yourself and those around you - get your flu shot
16 Jan 2013 - Ministry of Health Info Bulletin: The facts on influenza and norovirus in B.C.
The flu is highly contagious and can cause severe complications for the very young, old and those with underlying health conditions. Getting ill with the flu can mean several missed days of school, work and other activities. Learn more about influenza.
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 virus
- A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2)–like virus
- B/Wisconsin/1/2010–like virus (B Yamagata lineage)
Am I eligible?
Flu shots are safe, effective, and provided free for:
- Children and adults with chronic health conditions and their household contacts
- Children & adolescents (6 months to 18 years) with conditions treated for long periods of time with Acetylsalicylic acid and their household contacts
- Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities
- People 65 years and older and their caregivers/household contacts
- All children age 6 to 59 months of age
- Household contacts and caregivers of infants age 0 to 59 months of age
- 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)
- Aboriginal people
- People who are very obese (BMI > 40)
- 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
- Inmates of provincial correctional institutions
- People who provide essential community services (first responders, corrections workers)
- People who work with live poultry and/or swine
- Individuals who provide care or service in potential outbreak settings housing high risk persons (e.g., crew on ships)
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.
How do I access this service?
Flu vaccines can be accessed through a community vaccine provider.