It’s flu shot season again and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority is reminding groups more vulnerable to infection to take advantage of free influenza vaccine clinics.
Between 10 to 20 per cent of Canadians catch the flu every year, and people with aboriginal ancestry are on the list of groups most at risk. Pregnant women, seniors, young kids, health-care workers, people in care homes, those with a chronic illness and overweight or obese individuals all carry a higher risk, too.
First Nations are hospitalized and die of flu infections at a higher rate than the general population, Canada’s National Advisory Committee of Immunization (NACI) says on its website.
Aboriginal populations are at increased risk for several reasons, NACI says. Obesity and chronic health conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, chronic lung disease and other illnesses are more frequently found among First Nations people, and they all increase the risk of flu infection, it adds.
Beyond the biological risk factors, poverty, inadequate access to health care, poor housing and overcrowding — all issues for First Nations communities — contribute to risk, the advisory committee says.
“Based on the body of evidence indicating a higher rate of influenza-associated hospitalization and death among aboriginals, NACI recommends the inclusion of Aboriginal Peoples among high-priority recipients of influenza vaccine. Special consideration to socioeconomic challenges and geographical isolation is required to overcome the logistical challenges faced to achieve this objective.”
The WRHA is providing free flu shots to all members of the public at 12 locations in the Winnipeg Wednesday through Friday.
Where can I get vaccinated for free in Winnipeg?
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Source:: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/indigenous-people-flu-vaccine-1.3281681?cmp=rss
