Health and Community Services
October 23, 2015

Strengthening the Health and Well-Being of Residents

Seasonal Flu Vaccine Offers Protection to Residents

Beginning November 2, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are encouraged to get the provincial seasonal influenza vaccine. The vaccine provides protection against the most common types of influenza, which is a highly-contagious respiratory illness that can cause mild to severe illness.

"I encourage everyone to get the seasonal vaccination which is the best protection against the influenza virus. By protecting ourselves, we are also protecting the health and well-being of those we engage with on a daily basis whether that is family, friends, seniors, young children or people with compromised immune systems."
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services

The influenza vaccine will be available to everyone six months and older. The vaccine contains two type A and two type B influenza strains to better protect the population. A specialized vaccine for people age 65 and older will be offered in long- term care and personal care homes throughout the province.

"The provincial seasonal influenza vaccine is safe and effective. When people are immunized, the risks of complications such as pneumonia, hospitalization and death are reduced."
- Dr. David Allison, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Newfoundland and Labrador

The vaccine is available free-of-charge to residents through their family physician and public health clinics offered by the province's Regional Health Authorities. The vaccine is also available free-of-charge from authorized pharmacists to beneficiaries of the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program who are five years of age and older. Authorized pharmacists may charge a fee to provide the vaccine to those who are not beneficiaries of the program.

"Pharmacists who are injection certified play a vital role in ensuring as many residents as possible receive the flu shot by offering the convenience of receiving the vaccine in local pharmacies. The flu vaccine is the best tool we have to protect against the serious complications of influenza. I encourage all residents to be immunized."
- Stephen Green, President of the Pharmacists' Association of Newfoundland and Labrador

A schedule for the public health clinics can be found at: //www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/infoforpros_edu.html. Residents can also call the Newfoundland and Labrador HealthLine toll-free by dialing 8-1-1.

QUICK FACTS:

• Beginning November 2, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are encouraged to get the provincial seasonal influenza vaccine.
• The vaccine is available free-of-charge to residents through their family physician and public health clinics offered by the Regional Health Authorities.
• The vaccine is also available free-of-charge from authorized pharmacists to beneficiaries of the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program who are five years of age and older. Authorized pharmacists may charge a fee to provide the vaccine to those who are not beneficiaries of the program.
• A schedule for the public health clinics can be found at: //www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/infoforpros_edu.html.
• Residents can also call the Newfoundland and Labrador HealthLine toll-free by dialing 8-1-1.

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Media contacts:

Tina Williams Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377 tinawilliams@gov.nl.ca

Glenda Power Executive Director Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador 709-753-7881 ext. 203 gpower@panl.net

2015 10 23                              10:25 a.m.