Quebec public health launches flu shot campaign

Quebec's public health agency has launched an aggressive campaign to persuade more citizens to get the flu shot this year.

Canadians were hard hit by a vicious flu bug last year, and the head of public health for the province says the vaccination rate is simply too low in this province to offer protection to the most vulnerable.

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"Flu is a very serious disease,"saidQuebec's director of public health, Dr. HoracioArruda."I think it's important to get your flu shot before the virus comes in, because it takes two weeks to get fully protected."

Arruda said that although around 300 people die from the flu annuallyin Quebec, many refuse to get vaccinated.

"Some people are afraid of the vaccines. They think that if they get the vaccine they're going to get sick," he said.

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Arrudasaid that most people won't become seriously ill from the flu, however, it can be fatal for the elderly, the very young and those with chronic illness.

Only 25 per cent of young and middle-aged Quebecerswith chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetesget the annual shot.

Among health care workers, that figure is just 40 per cent.

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"Flu is a very specific disease and you have to have your flu shot every year," said Arruda.

Last year the flu hitCanadians hardover the holiday season and Quebec had to open specialclinics to ease overcrowding in emergency rooms.

Arruda saidthat's part of the fallback plan this season too, but public health hopes the aggressive campaign will encourage moreQuebecersto get vaccinated now to avoid a similar situation.

The flu shot is free to babies and toddlers,anyone with a chronic illness andtheir families,as well asanyone aged 60 or older.

Arruda saidpublic health authorities are trying to make it easier to get the shot, offering more drop-in vaccinations at CLSCsandallowing people to book appointments online.