Saturday December 10, 2022 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc. | Island Social Trends
The additional walk-in flu vaccine clinics that started on Friday and continued today, are available again tomorrow – Sunday December 11.
The additional walk-in influenza immunizations on December 9, 10 and 11, 2022 are part of the government’s efforts to support people and families with children to get vaccinated before the holidays.
To find a nearby clinic, as well as when it will be welcoming walk-ins, visit the following health authority links:
- Island Health:
https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/flu-influenza/where-get-flu-vaccine - Vancouver Coastal Health:
http://www.vch.ca/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine#clinics - Fraser Health:
https://www.fraserhealth.ca/health-topics-a-to-z/immunizations/flu-shots/getting-your-flu-shot#.Y4_NycvMKUl - Interior Health:
https://www.interiorhealth.ca/health-and-wellness/immunization-and-vaccines/influenza-flu-vaccines#walk-in-influenza-vaccine-available-for-families-with-children - Northern Health:
https://www.northernhealth.ca/health-topics/covid-19-and-influenza-flu-immunization-clinics
Just show up:
There is no need to call ahead or make an appointment. Simply show up with your BC Services Card. If an appointment is preferred, one can be made through the Get Vaccinated system.
Those who also need a COVID-19 immunization can likely get it at the same time.
Influenza and COVID-19 immunizations are free in BC for everyone six months and older.
West shore & Sooke clinic locations:
At the Westshore Town Centre clinic location in Langford (Jacklin Rd at Kelly Rd), drop-in is available 9 am to 4 pm daily, from December 10 to 17, 2022.
At the Colwood-Westshore Public Health Unit in Colwood (345 Wale Rd), drop-in is available:
- December 18: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- December 23 & 29: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
- December 30: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
In Sooke, there are two vaccination locations:
Evergreen Mall (6660 Sooke Rd):
- December 10 & 11 – 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- December 14 & 15 – 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Wednesday December 28 – 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sooke Public Health Unit (6672 Wadams Way):
- Monday December 12 – 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
- Wednesday December 14 – 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
- Monday December 19 – 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Registration also available:
Appointment registration can also be done online on the BC Health Get Vaccinated website.
Vaccination push:
The influenza season started earlier than usual this year. In 2020 and 2021 due to public health protocols (related to the COVID pandemic), flu did not circulate as much, so people’s natural immunity is not what it would be in a ‘normal’ flu year.
There have been six deaths in children (up to age 19) in BC in the last month. This is higher than would be seen in a full year.
Vaccinations are safe:
BC Health says that vaccination is safe. “Any side-effects are typically very mild and go away on their own within a few days.”
Younger kids are at higher risk from respiratory illnesses like flu, says BC Health. “To prevent serious illness, get your child a flu vaccine as soon as possible.”
It’s safe for your child to get their flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines. Kids 2 to 17 can get a nasal spray if they prefer.
The vaccine is usually given as one (1) dose. Children under aghe 9 who have never had a flu vaccine need two (2) doses. The second dose is important to raise their level of protection. Your child will receive a notification to get their second dose from the Get Vaccinated system.
Enhanced doses for seniors:
To help create a stronger immune response, enhanced vaccines are available for people 65 years and older.
===== Learn More (BC Government links):
To learn more about the influenza vaccines, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/immunizations/flu
and https://immunizebc.ca/influenza
To register with the Get Vaccinated system, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register
For more information about COVID-19 booster doses, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/booster
===== ABOUT ISLAND SOCIAL TRENDS:
Island Social Trends covers news of the west shore (Langford, Colwood, Metchosin, Highlands, View Royal, and also Sooke) at islandsocialtrends.ca .
The regional news coverage with a socioeconomic lens has been ongoing since 2008 (first as MapleLine Magazine 2008-2010, then the weekly Sooke Voice News 2011-2013, the weekly West Shore Voice News 2014-2020, and as a fully online news portal starting mid-2020).
Island Social Trends Editor: Mary P Brooke
ARCHIVES: HEALTH | VANCOUVER ISLAND