Every year, about 1,400 people in BC die from influenza and pneumonia (a serious complication of influenza). The peak of the influenza season is traditionally November to April.

During the influenza season, residents who are at risk are advised to get their free vaccine. Influenza vaccine (available through your local health unit and your family doctor), along with good personal hygiene, including effective hand washing, is the best defense against contracting and spreading the influenza virus.  If you do find yourself sick with influenza you can help protect others from getting ill; stay home and rest, drink plenty of fluids and manage your symptoms. Click here for more information.

For 2011, B.C's seasonal influenza vaccine campaign is focused on those at highest risk for seasonal influenza. 

  
 

Beginning the week of October 11th, seasonal influenza vaccine is free of charge and recommended for the following groups of people:

• Persons 65 and older
• Residents of long-term care homes
• Persons with chronic diseases/health conditions:
  • Cardiac or pulmonary disorders
  • Diabetes and other metabolic diseases
  • Cancer;immunodeficiency;immunosuppression due to underlying disease or therapy
  • Chronic kidney disease and liver disease
  • Anemia and hemoglobinopathy
  • Conditions that compromise the management of respiratory secretions and are associated with an increased risk of aspiration
• Healthy children aged 6 to 23 months
• People aged 6 months - 18 years who have a condition that is treated for long periods with acetylsalicylic acid
• Household and regular child care contacts of children aged 0 to 23 months
• Household contacts of someone who is at high risk, whether or not those people have been immunized
• Pregnant women who will be in their third trimester during influenza season (typically spanning November to April)
• Aboriginal peoples (on and off reserve) for the 2011-2012 influenza season
• People who are very obese (those with a body mass index of 40 or greater)
• Inmates of provincial correctional institutions
• People working directly with live poultry
• Health care workers or other personnel who have significant contact with people in a high risk group
• First responders such as police officers, fire-fighters, and ambulance crews
• Corrections Officers
• People who provide care or service in potential outbreak settings housing high risk persons (i.e. crew on ships)

Pneumococcal vaccine is also available to high-risk individuals (seniors and those with chronic medical conditions) to prevent influenza-related pneumonia.  Please ask your health care provider if you also need this vaccine; if required, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines can be given at the same time.