B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry pushes influenza shots ahead of potential fall surge
British Columbia health officials are encouraging residents to get both flu shots and COVID-19 boosters this fall, while patients are being shuffled out of hospitals to make room ahead of possible twin surges of illness.
Free flu shots will be available through pharmacies and community clinics beginning Oct. 11 for everyone six months and older. “We have a good level of hybrid immunity right now but all of this decreases in time. The best thing we can do to protect ourselves is to get a booster,” she said. Health Minister Adrian Dix said patients who can be moved from hospitals into community care facilities are being identified now to free up beds in case they are needed.