Put a selection of junk on your front yard, along with a sign saying “free,” and chances are it will be gone before you know it.
People can’t seem to resist anything that’s free and provincial health officials across the Prairies are hoping that applies to flu shots as well.
All three provincial governments recently announced they will cover the costs of the seasonal influenza vaccine, which will include the H1N1 strain that garnered so much attention last year.
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The goal is to increase the number of people who get the shots.
“In past years, there have been target groups,” said Manitoba health minister Theresa Oswald. “That won’t be the case this year.”
The shots will be available at places where people normally receive medical care, such as public health clinics and doctors’ offices. More details can be obtained from local public health offices.
Last year, about 448,000 Manitobans or about 37 percent of the population received shots. There were 2,600 confirmed cases of H1N1 and 11 deaths.
In Saskatchewan, free flu shots will be available beginning Oct. 12 from medical and public health clinics.
Moira McKinnon, Saskatchewan’s chief medical health officer, expects there will again be cases of H1N1 in the province, although it won’t be as widespread as last year.
She said immunity wanes over time and urged certain groups – the elderly, the young and those with chronic diseases – to get re-vaccinated.
The province has 300,000 vaccines available and will spend $1 to $1.5 million on the program.
McKinnon said health officials will monitor the program and may make changes in the future.
“We’re not necessarily moving to this as a universal vaccine program,” she said in a news release. “It may not be in this format next year. We’ll have to evaluate the benefits.”
More information is available from doctors, local public health clinics, regional health authorities or the provincial Healthline at 877-800-0002.
In Alberta, those older than six months of age will be eligible to receive a free flu shot.
Last year, 37 percent of the population opted to get the vaccine. The program was marred by controversy, with reports of queue-jumping by high profile citizens such as members of the Calgary Flames and their families, who received their shots ahead of others.
Alberta Health said it has an adequate supply of the vaccine to immunize the entire population, but urged those at higher risk to get their shots as early as possible.
