Julie Kryzanowski, senior medical health officer, got her flu shot Tuesday morning at the South Hill Mall. (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Flu season

SHA flu clinics underway

Oct 22, 2019 | 2:50 PM

Flu shots are now available, and members of the Saskatchewan Health Authority are encouraging everyone to get immunized.

At the South Hill Mall in Prince Albert, the SHA set up an immunization clinic. On Tuesday morning there was a healthy contingent of people looking to get their shots.

One of the people getting a shot was Julie Kryzanowski, a senior medical health officer with the SHA. Kryzanowski said they can’t predict what this season will look like specifically, but stressed getting a shot is in people’s best interests.

“Receiving an influenza vaccine is one of the best ways to protect yourself this flu season,” she said.

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Kryzanowski said the SHA was hoping to raise awareness about how getting immunized against the flu is important for older people and younger children. She added people who work with young kids or older people should also try to get the shot. People with certain medical conditions are also urged to get vaccinated.

“Even if you’re an otherwise healthy adult, we still recommend you consider getting the flu [shot],” she said.

Last year Kryzanowski said 30 per cent of Saskatchewan was immunized. According to Kryzanowski, older people and those in the more vulnerable demographics are more like to vaccinate.

Kryzanowski as well took the time to dispel a popular misconception about the flu vaccine. Specifically, the senior medical health officer stressed because the vaccine is made with non-active virus particles it does not make people sick.

“It doesn’t cause the flu. It can give you a sore arm, some muscle aches and stiffness because of the vaccine itself,” she said.

In terms of symptoms, Kryzanowski said the most common tend to be fever muscle aches, headaches and respiratory symptoms like a cough and runny nose. Nausea and vomiting tends to be more common with children.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn