— A mobile vaccination clinic was set up for Healthcare staff to receive the influenza vaccine this week. Chief Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison was one of many Healthcare staff who took advantage of the clinic.
The vaccine is currently being offered at Doctor’s offices and health clinics across the province, with only a fee to cover the cost of administering the vaccine.
Island residents are reminded that immunization is especially important for those at highest risk of complications from influenza. High risk groups include people over the age of 65; adults or children with chronic lung or heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease or other chronic illness; residents of chronic care facilities; healthy pregnant and breastfeeding women; and healthy children between the ages of six months and 23 months.
“Health care workers, childcare workers, and any other professionals who may be at risk for transmitting the virus to people in the high-risk category, are also encouraged to receive the vaccine,” says Dr. Heather Morrison, Chief Health Officer.
The Public Health Agency of Canada states that about 10 - 25 percent of Canadians may get influenza each year, with about 4,000 - 8,000 deaths occurring due to influenza related illness and complications.