Mamawetan Churchill River Health Region

Public Service Announcement

November 28, 2012 For more information, contact: Linda Mikolayenko, 425-4812

Get your flu shot before the holidays

The Mamawetan Churchill River Health Region has scheduled a number of seasonal influenza vaccine clinics for the month of December.

The vaccine is free. No appointment is necessary; drop-in only on scheduled days. Please bring your Health Card.

Influenza vaccination is available and beneficial for all over the age of 6 months; however, it is particularly recommended for persons at higher risk of becoming seriously ill with influenza such as adults 65 and over, persons with chronic health conditions or severe obesity, pregnant women, children from 6 months to under 5 years of age, residents of care facilities, and close contacts of those at higher risk. A complete list of these groups is attached.

Please note that children younger than 9 years of age need two doses one month apart to be protected if they have not previously received an influenza immunization.

The schedules for the flu clinics are posted on the health region website. Attached is the schedule for Creighton, , , and Sandy Bay, by community, and by date, for the month of December. Check the region website for updates: www.mcrhealth.ca

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www.mcrhealth.ca

Influenza Immunization Risk Groups 2012-2013

All Saskatchewan residents six months of age and older will be eligible to receive the free influenza vaccine as part of the 2012-2013 immunization program.

The influenza vaccine is strongly recommended for the following high risk groups.

 Persons with a chronic health condition including but not limited to: o lung and/or heart disease o asthma o diabetes mellitus o neurological conditions o cancer o kidney disease o children on long term aspirin therapy  Adults 65 years of age and older  Pregnant women in all trimesters  Persons with severe obesity  Residents of a nursing home or other care facility  Children from 6 months up to and including 59 months of age (younger than 5 years old).

NOTE: Children younger than 9 years of age need two doses one month apart to be protected if they have not previously received an influenza immunization.

Groups recommended for vaccination to protect those at higher risk:

 household and close contacts of persons who are in the risk groups above  household and close contacts of infants less than 6 months of age  members of households expecting newborns  individuals providing regular childcare to children 6 to 59 months of age (under 5 years), whether in or out of the home  all health care employees and volunteers  persons who work with poultry or hogs  students of human or animal health sciences

Mamawetan Churchill River Health Region

Seasonal Flu Clinics by Community

For December, 2012

Creighton Community Health Services Office

Friday, December 14, 2012, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Denare Beach Band Office

Thursday, December 13, 2012, 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

La Ronge Health Centre (enter via upper level doors for all clinics)

Monday, December 3, 2012, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon Monday, December 10, 2012, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon Thursday, December 13, 2012, 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Monday, December 17, 2012, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon

Pinehouse Health Centre

Tuesday, December 4, 2012, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon; 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 19, 2012, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon; 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Sandy Bay Health Centre

Tuesday, December 11, 2012, 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; 1:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 12, 2012, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Mamawetan Churchill River Health Region

Seasonal Flu Clinics by Date

For December, 2012

Monday, December 3, 2012 La Ronge Health Centre, 9:00 a.m.to 12:00 noon

Tuesday, December 4, 2012 Pinehouse Health Centre, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon; 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Monday, December 10, 2012 La Ronge Health Centre, 9:00 a.m.to 12:00 noon

Tuesday, December 11, 2012 Sandy Bay Health Centre, 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; 1:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012 Sandy Bay Health Centre, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Thursday, December 13, 2012 Denare Beach Band Office, 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. La Ronge Health Centre, 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Friday, December 14, 2012 Creighton Community Health Services Office, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Monday, December 17, 2012 La Ronge Health Centre, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Tuesday, December 18, 2012 Creighton Community Health Services Office, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Wednesday, December 19, 2012 Pinehouse Health Centre, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon; 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.