Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 04/05) - Flu season is here and Yellowknifers are lining up at clinics for a short, sharp shot in the arm.

Four-year-old Cole Soenen and his mother Carol, were at Northern United Place Tuesday for one of the free clinics that will operate until Nov. 21.

"I have diabetes and Cole has heart problems, so I feel it is important for the two of us to get immunized every year," Carol said.

Laurie Parton, a Yellowknife public health nurse, said this year's flu shot protects against three major strains of flu.

"There are two Type A strains - New Caledonia and California-like viruses and one B strain, which is called Shanghai-type virus," Parton said.

"These are the major strains of flu that will be circulating this winter season."

Flu symptoms include respiratory problems along with bad cough, high fever, aches and chills.

"That's why people who have heart or lung problems or the elderly are more at risk, so we really encourage them to get the flu shot," Parton said.

Based on last year's flu season, Parson anticipates providing vaccines for as many as 4,700 people this year.

Whether or not the flu vaccine stops the virus developing or lessens the symptoms depends on a person's immune system.

"The vaccine isn't a 100 per cent guarantee that you won't get the flu," Parton said.

Peak flu season varies from region to region in Canada, but Parton said in the Territories, it runs between October and March.

Andre Corriveau, chief medical health officer for the Northwest Territories, said there have been few reports of flu across Canada thus far.

For travellers leaving Canada, he said he has not heard of any country requiring a flu shot to enter.

"In the Southern hemisphere, their flu season is during our summer, so people may not think about getting a flu shot, but it is some good advice, if you want to avoid the flu during your holidays," he said.