2003 Flu Campaign Begins
Seniors, the chronically ill, health-care workers and other high- risk Nova Scotians will once again be eligible for free flu vaccines this year.
"Our experience with SARS last spring is a strong reminder about how vulnerable we are, as individuals and as communities, to infectious diseases," said Dr. Robert Strang, medical officer of health for Capital Health District. "While we plan and prepare for emerging infections like SARS, we must also remember, and work to decrease, the tremendous impact influenza has every winter."
The Department of Health is providing free vaccine at doctors' offices and community clinics for people who have a higher risk of getting severely ill, or even dying, from influenza. These high-risk groups include: -- people over age 65; -- adults and children under age 65 with chronic heart and lung problems, and other chronic diseases.
In order to fully protect high-risk people, the vaccine is also provided free to people who have close contact with high-risk individuals. These close contacts include: -- people who live in the same house as a high-risk person; -- anyone working or volunteering in a hospital, long-term care facility, home care or home support agency; -- people who provide care in a community-based office including doctors, dentists, dental assistants, hygienists, pharmacists, or physiotherapists.
"This year, we're happy to be able to add two new groups to the list of Nova Scotians eligible for the free flu shot," said Health Minister Angus MacIsaac. "We've added anyone who is a student in a training program to be a health care worker and, because of their important role in providing essential services for our communities, police officers and firefighters, including volunteers."
Nova Scotia's district health authorities are launching internal campaigns encouraging their staff and volunteers to be immunized.
"If you choose to be a health-care worker, then you must accept the responsibility to help protect the people in your care," said Dr. Strang. "Health-care facilities have been doing a tremendous job over the past few years of increasing the numbers of staff and volunteers who are immunized. We expect the momentum to continue so that we can further reduce the number of people who become seriously ill as a result of the flu."
A typical flu season in Nova Scotia runs from November to April, sending more than 20,000 people to their doctors. About 2,500 people are admitted to hospital during a normal flu season, and 400 people die as a result of complications from the virus.