Not too late for flu shot

The Department of Health and Community Services wishes to remind those people at risk for influenza to be immunized. Even though the flu season has started in other parts of Canada it is not too late to protect yourself from influenza.

"Now that flu season is upon us we want to remind people that immunization against influenza, commonly known as a �flu shot�, is the most effective way to protect against influenza," said Dr. Faith Stratton, chief medical officer of health for the province. "While there are no confirmed reports of influenza in this province to date cases of influenza A, the most serious kind of flu, have been reported in the other Atlantic provinces and is affecting a high number of children in particular."

Symptoms of influenza include sudden onset of fever, chills, cough and muscle aches and pains which can go on to cause pneumonia and other serious complications. Dr. Stratton advises those people at high risk for complications of influenza to be immunized. These include:

• Adults and children with chronic heart, lung or other disease severe enough to require regular medical treatment or hospital care such as cystic fibrosis, severe asthma, diabetes, kidney disease and cancer;
• People of any age who are residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities;
• Everyone age 65 and over.

Health care workers and other essential workers should also be immunized against influenza.

"Influenza is a serious but preventable illness," said Dr. Stratton. "However, there is still time to receive your annual influenza vaccination to prevent getting the flu this winter."

Those who have not yet received their immunization should contact their family physician to get the flu shot.

For more information:

Dr. Faith Stratton,
Chief Medical Officer of Health
(709) 729-3430

Media contact: Paul Power, Communications, (709) 729-2888

2003 12 18                                        9:20 a.m.