The Sun Country Health Region will start to offer free influenza immunization clinics in the southeast starting on Monday, Oct. 23, with an extensive schedule of clinics throughout the area set. The region’s public health team encourages everyone to get a flu shot to protect themselves and their loved ones. All those who are six months of age and older are eligible to get a vaccine shot.
The publicly-funded shots will be available through public health clinics, pharmacists, physicians and nurse practitioners across the province. The flu shots are particularly recommended for those who are high risk for influenza-related complications.
These include people with chronic health conditions, such as lung and/or heart disease, asthma, cancer and kidney disease; people who are 65 and over; residents of long-term care facilities; people with severe obesity; children under five; children on long-term aspirin therapy; and pregnant women.
The shots are also recommended for the families and care-givers of those at high risk, along with health care professionals.
Influenza is a contagious viral disease of the respiratory system that can be spread by coughing, sneezing or touching surfaces like door handles and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
Clinics for Weyburn will start on Tuesday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at McKenna Hall, followed by Thursday, Oct. 26, at Legion Towers and Friday, Oct. 27 at Bison Manor, both from 9 a.m. to noon, and back at McKenna Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A clinic is set for the Wheatland Senior Centre on Wednesday, Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to noon, and then the Soo Line Daycare on Thursday, Nov. 2 from 3 to 6 p.m.
Other clinics in the Weyburn region include two dates in Fillmore, on Thursday, Nov. 9, at the Drop-in Centre from noon to 5 p.m., and Wednesday, Dec. 13, at the Fillmore Health Centre from 1 to 3 p.m.
Midale will have a clinic on Wednesday, Oct. 25, from noon to 6 p.m. at Mainprize Manor. Pangman will host a clinic on Thursday, Oct. 26, and Monday, Nov. 13, both from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Pangman Health Centre.
Ogema will have two clinics, on Friday, Oct. 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., and on Wednesday, Nov. 8 from 1 to 4:30 p.m., at the Drop-in Centre.
In Stoughton, clinics will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Thursday, Nov. 30, from noon to 5 p.m., at the Stoughton Community Drop-in Centre.
Yellow Grass will have a clinic on Friday, Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Yellow Grass Drop-in Centre.
Radville will have a number of clinics, starting on Wednesday, Oct. 25, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., and then on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 1 to 4:30 p.m., at the Radville Marian Health Centre. Dates in November will include Nov. 2, 16, 22 and 30, also at the same location.
