Nova Scotia 1998 Flu Campaign Now Under Way

With the flu season just around the corner, the Department of Health is getting ready to immunize Nova Scotians for influenza. Seniors and people at high risk who have not yet been vaccinated are also advised to get vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia.

"As we are heading into 1999 -- International Year of Older Persons -- we want to remind all seniors of the importance of immunization. Seniors and people in high risk categories should be immunized now before the flu season begins," says Health Minister Jim Smith. "This very important and simple step is one of the best ways to help to stay healthy."

November to April is the prime flu time in Canada. The Department of Health recommends that adults and children who suffer from any chronic heart or lung problems, their families, and senior citizens have their yearly vaccine. Children and adults who have diabetes, kidney disease, anemia, AIDS, or cancer should also get their flu shot annually.

"This year's vaccine contains a strain of the Sydney virus that affected many Nova Scotians last year," explains Dr. Jeff Scott, provincial medical officer of health. "By including the strain in the vaccine, we are trying to prevent serious illness for those who might be infected by it this year."

Influenza or the flu is a contagious virus that affects the respiratory system. The symptoms include a high fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches and pains, chest discomfort and a heavy cough. The flu can also lead to more serious complications such as pneumonia, heart and kidney failure and nervous disorders.

In addition to the flu vaccine, the province is again providing the pneumococcal vaccine. Last year, it was added to the province's immunization program for seniors. The program was expanded in April 1998 to include all Nova Scotians under 65 who have risk conditions that would increase the risk of pneumonia. People at risk include those with chronic heart and lung disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, HIV-AIDS infection or other diseases of the immune system, chronic liver disease and alcoholism. One injection of this vaccine is generally good for life.

Pneumococcal pneumonia is a bacterial infection of the lungs. It causes fever, chills, cough and soreness in the chest and back. Some people develop serious illness and require hospitalization. The bacteria spreads from person to person from discharges from the mouth and nose.

The flu and the pneumococcal vaccination are available free of charge to adults 65 years of age and older and to children and adults who are in the high risk groups. The flu vaccine is available to others for a small fee.

Total provincial spending on immunization is more than $3.7 million.

This year's flu immunization campaign is a project of the Department of Health in cooperation with the Regional Health Boards, Nova Scotia Lung Association, the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia, The Medical Society of Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Association of Health Organizations, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Senior Citizens Secretariat, the Canadian Diabetes Association, Canadian Pensioners Concerned Nova Scotia, the Infectious Diseases Division of the QEII Department of Medicine, and the Canadian Cancer Society, Nova Scotia Division.