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Covid concerns

Drop-in flu vaccine clinics won’t be held this fall

Jul 27, 2020 | 4:46 PM

Interior Health (IH) is providing details on a change to how influenza shots will be provided this fall.

“We apologize for any concerns and confusion a recent letter to our community vaccine providers has created. We agree that it is even more important for people to get immunized this year given the current COVID-19 pandemic,” an email from IH to Vernon Matters and other media said.

The health agency said the vaccines will continue to be available through IH and its community partners this fall, but the normal drop-in clinics will not be happening due to COVID-19 concerns.

“This recognizes that bringing in groups of people into these locations does create a risk of COVID-19 exposure, particularly to those most vulnerable to COVID-19 and the flu,” the health authority said.

IH said places like pharmacies and primary care offices were already providing 70 per cent of the region’s immunizations as of last year.

“People will still be able to make appointments through public health, and we are also supporting our community providers to continue making flu shots available in pharmacies, travel clinics and primary care settings. Our priority working with our partners is to ensure everyone who wants a flu shot this season will get it,” the statement said.

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