With flu season just around the corner, health officials have announced a variety of clinics and other ways for Powell River residents to receive a flu shot.
“We’re encouraging everyone to go out there and get protected,” said Dr. Paul Martiquet, Vancouver Coastal Health’s medical health officer for the coastal region. “We have a good vaccine this year. We’re hoping it’s going to completely cover the current, existing strains that are circulating. We’re really keen on people taking advantage of it and helping reduce the transmission in the community.”
Every year, flu affects up to 20 per cent of the population. For some vulnerable populations, it can cause serious, even life-threatening, complications. The virus changes every year, so a new vaccine must be administered annually.
There are family doctors in the community who monitor influenza-like illness, Martiquet added. “So far, it’s been quiet, as expected, but toward the end of the month, the circulating viruses appear more predominantly in the community and that’s the time to get vaccinated.”
The first clinic will be held from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, October 23, 24 and 25 on the upper level at Powell River Recreation Complex.
A clinic on Texada Island will be held from 10 am to 2 pm on Monday, October 29, at the OAP Hall, 2622 Gillies Bay Road.
The next clinic will take place from 11 am to 2 pm on Wednesday, October 31 at Cranberry Seniors’ Centre, 6792 Cranberry Street.
Two clinics will be held at Evangel Pentecostal Church, 5139 Manson Avenue. The first is from 1:30 to 4:30 pm on Wednesday, November 7 and the second from 3:30 to 7:30 pm on Thursday, November 8.
The last clinic is scheduled from 3:30 to 7:30 pm on Wednesday, November 14 at Powell River Community Health, third floor of Powell River General Hospital. The entrance is around the back of the hospital.
Families with children age 10 and under can go to the community health offices from 4 to 6 pm on Monday, November 5 and from 1:30 to 3:30 pm on Friday, December 7 for the second dose. People should call 604.485.3310 for an appointment.
The flu vaccine is also available at family physician offices and local pharmacies.
The flu shot is offered free to people who are at increased risk of complications or who come into regular contact with those groups, including: people aged 65 and older; patients with chronic health conditions and their household contacts; health care workers; emergency responders; healthy children from six months of age to less than five years old; household contacts and caregivers of children from birth to less than five years of age; 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; first nations people; and people who are obese (those with a body mass index of 40 or greater).
For more information, readers can call the public health flu line at 604.485.3239.
