By Katherine Svenkeson

Flu shots available now

Nov 1, 2016 | 6:00 AM

Flu shots are now available throughout the Prairie North Health Region, which includes the Battlefords.

The vaccine is available from Oct. 31 to Mar. 27.

Kelly Greenwald, this year’s public health nurse and coordinator of the flu program for Prairie North, said that they’ve set up clinics during all different times to benefit everyone’s schedules.

“We have a variety of locations, a variety of times, some evening, some weekends, daytime, to try and make them available to everybody,” Greenwald said.

There are 11 different immunization clinics set up throughout the Battlefords until late March.

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“We don’t know when influenza cases are going to start but the earlier you get [vaccinated], the earlier you get protection,” Greenwald said.

She said that the amount of people getting the shot grows each year but the numbers can always be higher. According to her, it comes down to getting more information out to patients.

“We have pretty good uptake for people getting the flu vaccine but the more people that get the flu vaccine the greater protection for everybody, so we encourage everyone to come out,” she said. “There is some stigma around the flu shot but you can’t get the flu from the flu vaccine. It’s a killed virus vaccine so it’s very safe.”

The flu shot is available for everyone aged six months and older, free of charge.

Email: Katherine.svenkeson@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @ksvenkeon