Health and Community Services
December 19, 2014
Promoting Healthy Communities Through Prevention
Residents Encouraged to Receive Flu Vaccinations and Protect Themselves Against Influenza
Cases of influenza have now been confirmed in this province signaling the beginning of flu season. Residents throughout Newfoundland and Labrador are strongly encouraged to receive their seasonal influenza vaccination. Combined with regular hand washing, the flu shot provides the best protection against the influenza virus.
“Although influenza is now circulating in this province, it is not too late for people to receive a flu shot. By protecting yourself, you are also protecting the health and well-being of your family, friends, seniors, young children and people with compromised immune systems. This year the flu shot has been made available to anyone who would like to receive it and all residents are certainly encouraged to get vaccinated.”
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services
This year’s flu shot protects against three types of influenza, including two types of influenza A (H3N2 and H1N1) and one influenza B (Massachusetts/2/2012). While it has been reported that this year’s influenza vaccine is not a perfect match for the predominate influenza strain (H3N2) circulating at this time, the vaccine still offers some protection to those who receive it. Additionally, the vaccine also protects against other strains of influenza that circulate this time of year. For persons over 65 years of age and the very young, influenza can be a more serious illness and can lead to more severe complications.
The vaccine is provided free of charge to everyone in the province through local public health offices, family physicians, or local health authority clinics.
New this year, some pharmacists have the ability to provide influenza vaccinations at their pharmacies. Clients of the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program will have access to influenza vaccinations free of charge at pharmacies in addition to physician and public health clinics. Other members of the public will be charged a fee determined by the pharmacy.
“In addition to receiving the flu shot, residents are encouraged to ‘Clean, Cover and Contain.’ By following this simple rule we can all help prevent the spread of influenza. Remember to thoroughly wash hands, cover coughs and sneezes, and remain home when sick.”
- Dr. Faith Stratton, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Newfoundland and Labrador
Influenza is a common and highly contagious respiratory disease. Symptoms of the flu typically include rapid onset of cough, fever, headache, chills and general body aches and pains. Although most people recover fully from influenza, it may lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and has the potential to be life-threatening.
To view weekly influenza reports from across the province, please visit: www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/informationandsurveillance.html#influenza.
For more information on influenza, the vaccine or flu shot clinics throughout the province, residents can contact their public health nurse or primary health care provider, or they may call the Newfoundland and Labrador HealthLine toll-free at 1-888-709-2929.
QUICK FACTS
- Residents throughout Newfoundland and Labrador are strongly encouraged to receive the seasonal influenza vaccination.
- The flu vaccine is provided free of charge to all residents of the province through public health offices, regional health authorities and physician practices.
- Some pharmacists now have the ability to provide influenza vaccinations at pharmacies. Residents may contact their local pharmacies for further details.
- To prevent the spread of influenza, residents are encouraged to “Clean, Cover and Contain.” Thoroughly wash hands, cover coughs and sneezes, and remain home when sick.
- For more information on influenza, the vaccine or flu shot clinics, residents can contact their public health nurse or primary health care provider, or they may call the Newfoundland and Labrador HealthLine toll-free at 1-888-709-2929.
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Media contact:
| Hugh Donnan Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 725-6511 hughdonnan@gov.nl.ca |
2014 12 19 2:00 p.m.