Senior citizens are among those that the Sun Country Health Region is urging to get a flu shot this year.
Sun Country and other health regions in the province started administering flu shots on Monday at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Estevan. Since that time, clinics have been held at the hospital and other sites in the region, including seniors’ homes.
Influenza clinics were held at Trinity Tower, Midtown Manor and Valley View Heritage on Wednesday, and Yardley Place, Ignlis Court, Sussex Arms and Creighton Lodge on Thursday.
Future clinics for Estevan are Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Nov. 14 from. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Nov. 22 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All will be at the hospital’s auditorium.
Many southeast communities have already hosted a clinic. Future clinics will be held at the Alida Golden Gate Centre on Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; the Carivilla Lodge in Carievale on Nov. 2 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Nov. 30 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; the Carlyle Community Health Services in Carlyle on Nov. 1 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Nov. 8 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; the Carnduff Regional Library in Carnduff on Oct. 30 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Nov. 14 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Dec. 5 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.; the Evergreen Lodge in Gainsborough on Nov. 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; the Oungre Memorial Regional Park on Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; the Oxbow Friendship Centre in Oxbow on Nov. 6 and Nov. 20 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.; the Redvers Health Centre on Oct. 31 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Nov. 6 and 14 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and the Stoughton Community Drop In Centre on Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Nov. 30 from noon to 5 p.m..
The health region’s public health team is encouraging everyone to get an influenza shot to protect themselves and to protect their loved ones. Anyone six months of age and older is eligible to receive the influenza vaccine.
But the flu shot is particularly encouraged for people at a high risk for influenza and influenza-related complications, including hospitalization.
High-risk groups for influenza include people with chronic health conditions, individuals 65 years of age and older, residents of nursing homes or other long-term care facilities, people with severe obesity, children under the age of five, children on long-term aspirin therapy and pregnant women.
The health region also recommends it for people who are in close contact with individuals at higher risk for serious disease, and encourages all healthcare professionals to be immunized to protect themselves and their clients, patients and residents from influenza.
In addition to getting a flu shot, the spread of influenza can be limited through infection prevention methods such as frequent hand washing, coughing and sneezing into the sleeve, cleaning surfaces often, and by staying at home when sick.
