The Sun Country Health Region (SCHR) has released the schedule for fall influenza immunization clinics.
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.
Influenza immunization clinics in SCHR will begin on Oct. 23. The vaccine will be available through public health clinics, physicians, pharmacists and nurse practitioners across the province.
SCHR recommends the flu shot 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.
Others urged to get a flu shot are members of households expecting a baby, members of households with a baby less than six years of age, household members and close contacts of people who are at risk of getting seriously ill with influenza, healthcare workers, health science students, volunteers working in health care settings, individuals providing regular child care to children up to 59 months of age, and people who work with poultry or hogs.
Influenza is a contagious viral disease of the respiratory system that can be spread by coughing, sneezing, or touching surfaces like door handles and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes.
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.
Clinics at St. Joseph’s Hospital’s Auditorium No. 2 will be on Oct. 23 and 24 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., 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.
Other clinics for Estevan include Oct. 25 from. 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Trinity Tower, 11 a.m. to noon at Midtown Manor, and 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Valley View Heritage; and Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Yardley Place and Inglis Court, 11 a.m. to noon at Sussex Arms, and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Creighton Lodge.
Other clinics that will be offered in the Estevan area include: Oct. 25 at the Bienfait Regional Library from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Oct. 25 at Mainprize Manor in Midale from noon to 6 p.m., and Oct. 26 at the Prairie Lilly Club in Lampman at 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
