Increased flu shots key in provincial plan to survive COVID-19 pandemic through fall and winter

NANAIMO — The number of flu shots available in B.C. is reaching a new high during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced an additional 450,000 doses of the flu vaccine were purchased, to be used during the fall and winter across B.C.

Dr. Henry told reporters on Wednesday, Sept. 9 nearly two million total flu shots will be available as flu season strikes the province at the same time active COVID-19 cases are rising.

“We’ve looked at what’s happened with influenza in the southern hemisphere, where they’ve just seen the peak of their influenza season. Their immunizations rates were very high, which has triggered us to purchase more vaccine here. We know how important it is to protect us all from influenza.”