B.C.'s Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid and provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall got their flu shot today to demonstrate the importance of getting vaccinated as part of the provincial influenza immunization campaign.

Clinics are now open throughout the province, and eligible British Columbians are able to get immunized at a wide variety of locations - from dedicated flu clinics, to their doctor's offices, or local pharmacist. Specially trained pharmacists have been able to offer immunizations for three years. More than 2,000 community pharmacists throughout B.C. are authorized to provide the flu vaccine this year.

Influenza can be a serious illness. Each year thousands of Canadians die from its complications - most of them seniors, or those with compromised immune systems or underlying health conditions.

This is the first year all healthy children between six months and five years of age will be eligible to be vaccinated for free. Each year, young children are among those most severely affected by complications from flu, as their immune systems are still developing. Parents are encouraged to get their children vaccinated and to get vaccinated themselves.

This year also marks the first year of the health-care worker influenza prevention policy, which requires all health-care workers in British Columbia to either get vaccinated or wear a mask for the duration of flu season. This policy will protect vulnerable patients and seniors from potentially contracting influenza from their caregivers or while at a health-care facility.

Flu shots are provided free of charge to all British Columbians who are at risk of developing complications, or those who have close contact with at-risk individuals.

Those eligible include:

• People 65 years of age and older and their caregivers.

• Children and adults with chronic health conditions and their household contacts.

• Health-care workers.

•  Emergency responders.

• Healthy children between six months and 59 months of age (under five years old).

• Household contacts and caregivers of children under five years old.

• Pregnant women who will be in their third trimester during influenza season.

• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities.

• Owners and operators of poultry farms.

• Aboriginal peoples.

• People who are very obese (those with a body mass index of 40 or greater).

• Corrections officers and inmates of provincial correctional institutions.

• People who provide care or service in potential outbreak settings that house high-risk persons (such as crew on a ship).

British Columbians who are ineligible for the free vaccine are able to purchase it for a small fee. In addition, many workplaces offer the vaccine to their employees at onsite clinics.

To find the nearest flu shot clinic, call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 or visit the B.C. Flu Clinic Locator at: www.health.gov.bc.ca/flu/

Quotes:

Minister of Health Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid -

"Each year, about 20 per cent of British Columbians will get sick from influenza. By getting vaccinated, you protect not only yourself but also those around you from this unpleasant and potentially deadly illness."

Provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall -

"We recommend that those at high risk of complications get vaccinated, but I also want to encourage those who regularly interact with at-risk individuals to get immunized this year. It is important to protect the people close to you from illness, and the best way to do that is with the vaccine. That is why we are asking all health-care workers to either get vaccinated or wear a mask this flu season."

BC Pharmacy Association director David Pavan -

"Going to your local pharmacy is often the most convenient place to get your flu shot, which is why I am so pleased that pharmacists across the province have readily accepted the challenge to become authorized to provide vaccinations - more than 2,000 are now able to provide this service."

Learn More:

Learn more about influenza and the influenza vaccine at: www.immunizebc.ca

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contact:

Ministry of Health Communications
250 952-1887 (media line)

(flickr.com)

BACKGROUNDER

Facts about influenza

• Each year, between 2,000 and 8,000 Canadians die from complications from influenza.

• Bacterial pneumonia, an infection of the lungs, is the most common complication from influenza, especially in elderly people. It can also lead to more complications for people who have heart, lung or other health conditions.

• Influenza spreads easily from person to person through coughing, sneezing, or face-to-face contact. The virus can also spread when a person touches tiny droplets from a cough or sneeze and then touches their eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

• Many people use the term flu to refer to any illness caused by a virus, such as the "stomach flu" or the common cold. However, the influenza virus causes illness that tends to be more severe than other viruses.

• Symptoms can begin one to four days after a person is first exposed to the virus. Fever and other symptoms usually last seven to 10 days, but the cough and weakness may last one to two weeks longer.

• An infected person can spread the influenza virus even before feeling sick. An adult can spread the virus from about one day before to five days after symptoms start. Children can spread the virus up to 21 days after symptoms start.

• Along with vaccination, there are ways to help protect yourself from contracting or spreading influenza: wash your hands frequently, always practice proper cough or sneeze etiquette and stay home when you are feeling ill.

• People with mild egg allergies can safely receive the influenza vaccine. People with a history of anaphylaxis to egg should ensure they receive the vaccine in a controlled setting.

Media Contact:

Ministry of Health Communications
250 952-1887 (media line)