Health care professionals are reminding and encouraging everyone to get their annual flu shot. Flu season is from December 1 to March 31.
Getting the flu shot is not about protecting oneself from getting the flu, but also protecting others. The flu virus can spread easily from person to person directly and through indirect contact of objects without hand washing. An infected person can spread the flu virus even before feeling sick up to 5 days before symptoms appear. Seniors residing in long‐term care facilities such as Three Links Care Centre are at higher risk from flu complications because of their weakened immune sys‐tem and other health conditions.
In addition to getting your annual flu shot, you can also reduce the risk of illness by:
- Washing your hands regularly
- Promptly disposing of used tissues in the wastebasket or garbage
- Coughing or sneezing into your shirt sleeve (crook of your arm) rather than your hands
- Staying home if you are ill.
Let’s all do our part to keep everyone safe and healthy this year.
For more information, please visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca or www.vch.ca
Please be advised that during flu season, all staff and visitors to health care facilities (i.e. hospitals, long term care facilities) must have had their flu shot or wear a mask while on the premises. This helps to protect your loved ones you’re visiting from getting a potentially serious illness. At Three Links Care Centre, surgical masks are available at Front Reception.
Flu shots can be obtained for free at your family doctor, flu clinics, walk-in clinics or pharmacies. People who are planning on visiting loved ones in a healthcare facility or who will take family members to outpatient appointments are also eligible for a free flu shot.
