Northern Health is boosting its supply of flu vaccines this year.
The health authority says it has roughly 77,000 doses for the 2020 flu season, up from 65,000 in 2019. From that, health services are expected to receive 13,400 doses for northeast B.C., 42,700 doses for the northern interior, and 20,800 doses in northwest B.C.
"There is no COVID-19 vaccine yet, but we do have influenza vaccines. We can take influenza out of the mix," the health authority stated in an Oct. 20 bulletin.
There were 9,200 doses administered in northeast B.C. in 2019-20, and more than 9,500 doses administered in 2018-19, according to Northern Health. Vaccination rates here over the last five to 10 years weren't immediately available.
Health Canada reported in July that orders had been placed for more than 13 million doses of the influenza vaccine this year country wide. Last year, Canada ordered 11.2 million doses.
Every year, about 1,400 people in B.C. die from influenza and complications of influenza, such as pneumonia, according to Northern Health.
Vaccines will be available through public health clinics, pharmacies, and doctors’ offices. Visit ImmunizeBC for a list of locations, or call 8-1-1 if you don’t have access to the internet.
Northern Health flu will hold its vaccine clinics starting Nov. 2, by appointment only. You can call 250-263-6000 to book an appointment with the health unit.
