SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
With flu season looming, the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority is urging residents of all ages to take a shot at protecting themselves this season and drop by one of the free flu clinics open through the month of November and beyond.

Minister of Health Glen Abernethy sets a good example, receiving his flu shot from Public Health manager Mary Lou Murphy. - Elaine Anselmi/NNSL photo

Yellowknife flu clinics Nov. 1: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - CO-OP Nov. 6: 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Northern United Place Nov. 7: 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Northern United Place Nov. 15: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - CO-OP Nov. 18: 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Yellowknife Primary Care Centre Nov. 25: 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Yellowknife Primary Care Centre Jan. 9: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Public Health source: GNWT Health and Social Services

"I get one every year," said David Tate, who dropped by the Baker Community Centre free clinic for seniors on Tuesday, along with his wife and daughter. "It's worked every year. I haven't had a flu since I started getting the shot."

For the territory, 16,250 doses are ordered and Health Minister Glen Abernethy said some communities have a very high rate of vaccination, while others could do better. Yellowknife, for example, saw less than 20 per cent of residents receive vaccination in 2013.

"Last year we had two communities near 100 per cent, it's not a matter of getting the actual vaccine to communities, we can do that, but it's encouraging and finding ways to convince the people in the communities to take that step of coming into the health centre to get that vaccination shot," said Abernethy. "In some communities we have great uptake; Whati is almost 60 per cent, Deline is almost 70 per cent, other communities not so much."

Abernethy rolled up his sleeve for a flu vaccination, and challenged the other GNWT ministers (and local media) to do the same.

"I encourage everybody to get their flu shot, especially seniors," said Abernethy. "Seniors are in the higher risk category . so it's important for seniors to get flu shots but it's important for everybody to get their flu shot."

At the free clinic for seniors, Public Health Manager Mary Lou Murphy expected to see about 200 people through the door. The clinic was vaccinating against two types of influenza, A and B, and free clinics for all residents will be open in the coming weeks.

"Flu shots are free for everybody, that's why we encourage it and we'll be starting our public clinic on Nov. 1 at the Co-op, and that's for everybody," said Murphy. "We want to make sure that we can protect people from getting influenza."

The flu can cause significant illness for 10 to 12 days, with symptoms such as a high fever or aches, said Murphy. The flu is sometimes confused with the common cold, but symptoms such as high fever, headaches and extreme fatigue are characteristic of influenza, and less evident in a cold.

"If you are at risk, you could also develop pneumonia," said Murphy. "So we really want to protect our young children and elderly."

For children and youth between the ages of two and 17 years old, a vaccination in the form of a nasal mist is also available. Public Health has been using the nasal mist for two years, said Murphy, and seen great success with it.

"If you can protect anyone in your family or friends that may be in that younger or older age group, and protect them from getting the flu, that's very important," said Murphy.

As well as the young and elderly, Abernethy said people with chronic conditions should also be considered, and emphasized the importance of all residents getting immunization to avoid putting others at risk.

"We don't limit it to that, I would encourage anyone who spends a lot of time with children or at a lot of social activities to get their flu shots," said Abernethy. "In fact, everybody should."

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