THE 2022/2023 FLU SHOT HAS BEEN DELIVERED!
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI)(external link), which advises the Public Health Agency of Canada, recommends the flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older.
During the month of October, ONLY high risk individuals will be eligible for a flu shot. This includes health care workers, hospital staff, Long Term Care and Rest and Retirement home residents and staff, as well as individuals at high risk of influenza-related complications, or who are more likely to require hospitalization.
Immunization of High-Risk Groups
Per the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), individuals in the following four groups are particularly recommended to receive the influenza vaccine:
- Individuals at high risk of influenza-related complications or who are more likely to require hospitalization:
- All pregnant women
- People who are residents of nursing homes or other chronic care facilities
- People ≥ 65 years of age
- All children 6 months to 4 years of age
- Indigenous peoples
- Adults or children 6 months of age and over with chronic health conditions as follows:
- Cardiac or pulmonary disorders
- Diabetes mellitus or other metabolic disease
- Cancer
- Conditions or medication which compromise the immune system (due to underlying disease, therapy or both)
- Renal disease
- Anemia or hemoglobinopathy
- Neurologic or neurodevelopment conditions
- Morbid obesity (body mass index of ≥ 40)
- Children and adolescents (6 months to 18 years) undergoing treatment with acetylsalicylic acid for long periods
Please download a Flu Shot Consent Form here: Flu Shot Consent Form 10.1.2021 (for use 2022/2023)
AT WATERVIEW MEDICAL CENTRE:
WE ARE PROVIDING FLU SHOTS BY APPOINTMENT AND IN OFFICE THIS YEAR. PLEASE CALL TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS. PUBLIC HEALTH PROVIDES VACCINE IN BATCHES, SO ONE MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE WHEN YOU CALL. WE ALSO RECOMMEND GETTING YOUR FLU SHOT AT YOUR PHARMACY IF AVAILABLE SOONER OR MORE CONVENIENT.
KEY MESSAGES FOR PATIENTS:
• Influenza vaccination for the general public can begin in November.
• All age-appropriate influenza vaccines protect against the flu. Do not delay vaccination to wait for a particular product.
• Children 6 months to under 9 years of age, who have not been previously immunized with any influenza vaccine in their lifetime, are recommended to receive 2 doses at least four weeks apart.
• Children 6 months to under 9 years of age, who have been previously immunized with at least one dose of any influenza vaccine in their lifetime, are recommended to receive 1 dose.
• Individuals >9 years are recommended to receive 1 dose.
THANK-YOU.