Northern Health is asking northern B.C. residents to add getting influenza vaccines to their job jars as they get ready for winter.
Along with switching over to winter tires, testing the heaters and snowblowers, and sealing the window and doors, taking preventative steps against influenza are also worthwhile, Northern Health's Northern Interior health officer William Osei said Tuesday.
That means washing hands regularly, promptly throwing used tissue into waste baskets or the garbage, coughing and sneezing into shirt sleeves rather than hands, staying home when ill and getting a flu shot.
Northern Health has about 45,000 doses at the ready and are making them available for free to high risk populations - those over 65 years old, those under five years old, and anyone who suffers from a chronic illness.
A full list of who qualifies can be found at immunizebc.ca. Click on "diseases and immunizations" at the top and then on "influenza" on the left side.
Even if you don't qualify for a free shot, Osei said it's still worthwhile to drop by a pharmacy and pay for one.
"You are not only protecting yourself, you are protecting your loved ones," Osei said. "We are saying, give the flu vaccine as a gift, and not the disease."
The shot can produce side effects but they have been minimized over the years so that recipients feel only a mild fever that leaves quickly. "And compare to the effects of the disease, these side effects are nothing," Osei said.
This winter's edition has been changed up to deal with a new strain, A Texas, to go along with the A California and B Massachusetts. The vaccination is effective about 70 per cent of the time.
"No matter what you see or hear or read, the flu shot is our best shot against the flu," Osei said.
The first public flu shot clinic in Prince George is set for this Sunday at the Healthier You Expo at the Civic Centre, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The next on is set for Mon., Nov. 3 at the Northern Interior Health Unit, 1444 Edmonton St. across from University Hospital of Northern British Columbia, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
In Burns Lake at the Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre flu shots are available Nov. 3 from 8:30 to 11:15 a.m. and again from 1 to 4 p.m.
In Fraser Lake people can get the shot Nov. 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the health unit and in Fort St. James on Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the health unit.
At the Vanderhoof Health Unit the flu clinic goes Nov. 3 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and at Mackenzie hospital on Nov. 3 from 1 to 7 p.m.
On Nov. 5 people can get their flu shots at the McLeod Lake band office from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In Quesnel there will be clinics are at the Seniors Centre on Nov. 3 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and at the health unit Nov. 4 from 4 to 7 p.m.
At the public health unit in Valemount the clinic is set for Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
At the McBride Community Health Service building the flu clinic is from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
