Free flu shots available now to Nunavut residents

Nunavut’s health minister, Keith Peterson, gets a flu shot from public health nurse Susie Pearce Oct. 30, 2012, at a special clinic held inside the Nunavut Assembly building. This year’s flu vaccine campaign in Nunavut kicked off this week. (FILE PHOTO)

Nurse Sarah MacRury administers the FluMist vaccine to J.J. Tatty at the Iqaluit public health office. His sister, Dosha, received her vaccine too. FluMist is a spray-in-the-nose vaccine for children aged two to 17. People can get free flu vaccine at community health centres, and in Iqaluit, at the public health office in building 1091 near the airport. (PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GN)

Nunavut’s annual flu vaccine campaign kicks off this week, the Government of Nunavut said Oct. 21.

“People protect themselves and loved ones from influenza when they are vaccinated,” Maureen Baikie, Nunavut’s chief medical officer of health, said in a news release.

The free flu shots offer protection against the virus that causes influenza, especially during the flu season between January and May.

Children, elderly people and people with respiratory problems face the greatest risk if they catch the flu.

This year, the GN is offering FluMist spray to children and youth aged two to 17.

The needle-in-the-arm method is available for all other age groups, but it’s not recommended for babies under the age of six months.

The flu is spread through coughing, sneezing or nasal fluids. It can be prevented by regular hand-washing or coughing into a sleeve or tissue.

The symptoms of the disease include fever, loss of appetite, sore muscles, sore throat and tiredness.

The vaccine is available at health centres across the territory.

In Iqaluit, the vaccine is available at the Iqaluit public health centre at building 1091 near the airport, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Evening and weekend flu vaccine clinics in Iqaluit are available at these dates and times:

• Oct. 22 and Oct. 29, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 24, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 26, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.