Sask. government urging people to get flu shot to avoid pressure on health care system
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health is urging people to get the flu shot to avoid more illness and stress on the health care system.
“We’ve ordered more this year in the anticipation that everyone is talking about vaccines (so) that they’ll be able to get the flu shot and the COVID-19 shot,” health minister Paul Merriman said, while speaking to reporters at the legsislature on Nov. 17.
Enough influenza vaccines have been purchased to immunize 50 per cent of the population, according to the health ministry.
The amount purchased is expected to meet demand based on flu vaccine uptake in previous years.
Merriman said about 30 to 32 percent of people “typically” get the flu shot.
There are currently approximately 227,000 doses available in public health offices across the province, including in pharmacies.
“People with both infections at the same time would once again overwhelm our health care system so we're really advised to do both COVID vaccines and flu vaccines on the same day,” said pharmacist Roses Stewart.
Stewart owns Victoria Square Compounding Pharmacy in Prince Albert and says their pharmacist will provide vaccinations for people in their cars if they are unable to come inside the building.
“We’re trying to make sure people don’t have to come to a health care facility more than once,” said Stewart.
She said the flu vaccine is made to protect against the most common influenza virus strains found in the southern hemisphere that are expected to spread north.
Flu shots can also be booked online through the Saskatchewan Health Authority website.
Stewart said she encourages people of all ages to get the flu vaccine to keep from spreading the virus.
“Elderly people aren’t able to mount as much of response to the vaccine so there’s a window where they could develop the flu or COVID symptoms even if they are vaccinated,” said Stewart.
Flu symptoms appear 1 to 4 days after exposure to the virus. Health Canada identifies symptoms of influenza as fever, cough, muscle aches and pain. Other common indicators are headache, chills, fatigue or tiredness, loss of appetite, sore throat and runny or stuffy nose.
Some people, especially children. may also experience diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion, 1 person seriously injured: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
How to overcome 'savings guilt' when you're living paycheque to paycheque
As the higher cost of living continues to squeeze household budgets, many Canadians find they have even less left over at the end of every month to squirrel away for the future.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.