The provincial publicly-funded influenza program began on October 19. The influenza vaccine will be offered through public health clinics across the province, at some physician and nurse practitioner officers and at most local pharmacies.
Precautions are in place to keep people safe at flu clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic. For most clinics,
clients will be required to make an appointment to receive their flu shot, and asked not to attend if they are feeling unwell. Clients at flu clinics will also be pre-screened for COVID-19 symptoms and asked to perform hand hygiene. Please wear a mask. Bring a non-medical mask
from home or you will be provided a mask at the clinic.
Physical distancing measures will be in place, and staff will be wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, as well as implementing other
necessary infection control practices.
Outside the influenza clinics, attempts will be made to use every health care encounter to promote or administer the influenza vaccine, including before clients are discharged from hospital.
The influenza vaccine is not a COVID-19 vaccine; however, receiving your influenza vaccine this year will not only protect yourself and those around you, it will also assist in decreasing the burden influenza can place on our health care system – including hospitals – during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is very important to get your flu shot to protect yourself and your loved ones, especially during a pandemic when there is a novel virus at the same time for which no vaccine is available yet,” said Dr. Tania Diener of the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
You can find information on flu clinics in your area on the
4flu.ca website.
This year, at flu clinics around the province, clients will be encouraged to wear a mask, while staff will be wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).