Are you Eligible for a free seasonal flu shot?

In BC, the regular seasonal influenza vaccine is provided free to the following groups of people:

People at high risk of serious illness from influenza:

• Children 6-59 months of age
• Pregnant women
• Seniors 65 years and older
• Residents of any age living in residential care, assisted living or other group facilities
• Indigenous people (on and off reserve)
• People who are very obese  (BMI >40)
• Children and teenagers taking Aspirin® or ASA for long periods of time
• Children and adults with certain medical conditions, including:
  • Heart or lung disorders that require regular medical care, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis
  • Kidney disease, chronic liver disease including hepatitis, diabetes, cancer, anemia, or weakened immune systems
  • Those with health concerns causing difficulty breathing, swallowing, or a risk of choking on food or fluids, including persons with severe brain damage, spinal cord injury, seizures or neuromuscular disorders.

People able to transmit or spread influenza to those at high risk of serious illness from influenza, including:

• Doctors, nurses and other care providers who work in hospitals, residential care, assisted living or other group facilities
• Household contacts, caregivers and daycare staff of children under 24 months of age
• Household or close contacts of people at high risk (see above)
• People who live or work in confined settings such as correctional facilities.
• Those who provide care or service to people at high risk in potential outbreak settings such as cruise ships
• Visitors to a health care facility (new indication)
• Others:
  • First responders, such as police officers, firefighters and ambulance attendants
  • Farmers and other people who work with live chickens.

• For everyone else we can sometimes offer the seasonal flu vaccine for $30 or you may be able to purchase it from a local pharmacy.