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NUNAVUT
The annual influenza vaccination campaign has started with a desire for more Nunavummiut to get the flu shot this fall, the territorial government announced Oct. 18.

New nasal flu vaccine is available for children aged two to four, meaning fewer tears at many health centres across the territory as a nose spray is less painful than a needle in the arm.

The flu shot helps prevent people from getting influenza and stops the spread of the flu virus, said Dr. Geraldine Osborne, Nunavut's chief medical officer of health. She added it does not give people the flu.

"Being vaccinated helps decrease illness and death," she stated in a press release. "Students are the biggest group to transmit the flu because they are in close contact with friends and classmates. If children are vaccinated, there is little chance of them bringing the flu home from school to their families."

The Department of Health and Social Services has a goal of immunizing at least 50 per cent of the population, including 70 per cent of children aged two to four. Last year, only 25 per cent of people were vaccinated, a number Osborne said was important to increase.

The importance of getting the flu shot was raised at the legislature on Oct. 18 by Tagak Curley, the Minister of Health and Social Services.

"It is particularly important young children, the elderly and people with chronic medical conditions, who are considered to have a greater risk of developing complications from the flu get vaccinated."

Influenza ,or the flu, is a contagious disease spread through coughing, sneezing or nasal fluids. Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, sore muscles and throat, and fatigue. People usually get the disease between November and May.

The flu vaccine and nasal spray are available across the territory and are free for all residents.

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