Everyone knows seniors are particularly vulnerable to the flu, but every year otherwise healthy children also become seriously ill or even die because they didn't get a flu shot.
As flu season gets underway, Fraser Health has added young children, as well as those who are close contacts or caregivers, to the list of those eligible for free flu shots.
New this year, healthy children aged six months to less than five years of age and household contacts and caregivers of children less than five years of age are eligible for the free vaccine.
"In a typical flu season, thousands of people develop serious illness or even die from the flu or its complications, such as pneumonia," said Dr. Paul Van Buynder, Fraser Health's chief medical health officer.
"The influenza vaccine is the best protection against influenza illness and its complications and is a safe and effective way to help people stay healthy, prevent illness and even save lives."
The flu season usually runs from November to April with an estimated 10 to 25 per cent of people infected each year. A person can have the flu virus without knowing it, and pass it to someone who may become seriously ill.
An estimated 200 to 300 Fraser Health residents, mainly seniors, die every year from complications of influenza infection.
"The flu season really gets going in November and December, so we urge everyone to get the vaccine as soon as it's available," Van Buynder said, adding it takes 10 days to two weeks before the vaccine is effective.
Last year, Fraser Health provided approximately 300,000 seasonal flu shots free of charge to those at risk of complications from the flu. The goal this year is to achieve 365,000 vaccinations.
Free flu shots are provided to the following groups:
. People 65 years of age and over and their caregivers.
. Children and adults with chronic health conditions and their household contacts.
. Health care workers. . Emergency responders. . Healthy children aged six months to under five years.
. Household contacts and caregivers of infants and children under five years.
. Pregnant women who will be in their third trimester during the influenza season.
. Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities.
. Owners and operators of poultry farms.
. Aboriginal people. . People who are very overweight (those with a body mass index of 40 or greater).
. Corrections officers and inmates in provincial correctional institutions.
. Those who provide care or service in potential outbreak settings housing high risk persons (e.g. crew on ships).
Upcoming flu clinics in South Delta are on the following dates:
. Thursday, Nov. 1, 9 to 11: 30 a.m., McKee Seniors' Recreation Centre, 515547th Ave., Ladner.
. Thursday, Nov. 15, 3: 30 to 6 p.m., All Saints Anglican Church, 4755 Arthur Dr., Ladner.
. Tuesday, Nov. 20, 3: 30 to 6 p.m., South Delta Recreation Centre, 172056th St., Tsawwassen.
For a complete list of flu clinics, visit www.fraserhealth.ca.
Many physician offices and pharmacies also provide vaccine free-of-charge to those who are eligible or at low cost.
