The province’s chief medical officer of health says only one in three people will get a jab this year, but she hopes earlier detection of influenza cases may change people’s minds.
Dr. Janice Fitzgerald held a news conference yesterday urging residents to get the vaccine, which they can get at a local pharmacy or some provincial healthcare facilities.
Appointments are available starting next week.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald (VOCM News)
She says a small number of reported influenza cases have appeared earlier than normal this year and people should consider getting the shot not just for themselves, but to protect others.
“Vaccination is your best protection against flu and COVID, and certainly against severe disease with either of those viruses. And so while a lot of people feel they don’t need that protection because they’ve never gotten the flu – although that’s not really a good reason for not getting something – or they feel like they’re not at risk or whatever the case, but there may be people around them who are,” she said.
“Sometimes people can get a virus, not feel very sick, but they can certainly pass it on to other people who may get more severe disease.”
Residents are encouraged to book their vaccination appointments by:
- Visiting timefortheshot.ca
- Checking with their primary care provider for vaccine availability
- Checking with a local pharmacy for vaccine availability
