The flu vaccine is now being distributed by public health to family medicine clinics.
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. Currently we are focusing on the first high risk group. Influenza vaccines for the general public will begin in November.
The high dose influenza vaccine is recommended for high risk patient above the age of 65.
However the supply is limited so we encourage you to try to book with your pharmacy as well. PLEASE let the office know if you received your vaccine elsewhere so we can update your records
Please see below to see if you qualify of as a High Risk patient. Please call the office to book an appointment.
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
Individuals capable of transmitting influenza to those listed in #1 and/or to infants under 6 months of age:
Health care workers and other care providers in facilities and community settings
Household contacts (adults and children) of individuals at high risk of influenza related complications
Persons who provide care to children ≤ 4 years of age
Members of a household expecting a newborn during the influenza season
Those who provide services within a closed or relatively closed setting to persons at high risk (e.g., crew on a ship)
People who provide essential community services
Poultry industry workers
To reduce the risk of severe illness that could potentially arise from co-infection with COVID-19 and influenza, individuals who are at high risk of severe COVID-19 related illness or those capable of transmitting influenza to those at high risk of severe and critical illness related to COVID-19 are particularly recommended to receive the influenza vaccine this fall.