WEBVTT

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It's more important than ever

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for Defence Team members
and their families

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to receive their annual
flu shot this year

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in light
of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Today, Major-General
Marc Bilodeau,

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Surgeon General for the Canadian
Armed Forces joins me

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to speak more on the benefits
of the flu vaccine.

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Thank you very much
for joining us, sir.

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Why is it so important
that Defence Team members

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and their families receive
the seasonal flu vaccine?

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With the flu season
fast approaching,

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there is growing concern
among health professionals

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of a "twindemic".

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A "twindemic" would be
an overlap of the flu season

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and a second wave of COVID-19
cases this fall and winter.

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In light of COVID-19
precautions,

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any respiratory infection,
such as the flu or common cold

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could lead to you or your family
having to stay home from work,

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school and public spaces.

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Also, if someone with COVID-19
gets the flu,

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they could have worse symptoms
like coughing and sneezing

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that makes them more likely
to spread the infection.

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Not only will the flu shot
help to keep you

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and your family members healthy,

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it will reduce burden
on our healthcare system

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by helping to ensure hospitals

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are not trying to care
for the flu

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and COVID-19 patients
at the same time.

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Finally, by reducing the amount

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of respiratory viruses
in circulation,

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it will reduce the requirement

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for using limited testing
capability

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to roll out COVID-19 infection.

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When and where can Defence Team
members and their families

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get their annual flu shot?

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Regular Force CAF members
can attend a flu shot clinic

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through their Canadian Forces
Health Services Centre.

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Please rest assured
that clinics will adhere

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to COVID-19
public health measures

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when administering flu vaccines.

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More information
about flu shot clinics

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will follow
in the upcoming weeks.

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Class A and Class B reservists
on short-term contracts

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and their families can access
the flu vaccine

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through their provincial
healthcare systems.

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Civilian employees
can get a flu shot

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through their healthcare
provider,

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a local clinic or at a pharmacy.

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The department is also exploring
offering the flu vaccine

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for civilian employees at bases
and wings around the country.

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In the event
that the flu vaccine

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is not offered free of charge,
the expense can be claimed

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under the Public Service
Health Care Plan.

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How can Defence Team members

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and their families
safely get the flu shot

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while avoiding
large gatherings of people?

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Flu shot clinics,

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whether through Canadian
Forces Health Services Centres

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or through provincial
healthcare system

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will be delivered in line with
COVID-19 public health measures.

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This will includes:

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not allowing anyone who is sick
to receive the vaccine;

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ensuring physical distancing
is respected;

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avoiding having large crowds
for clinics;

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asking people to wear a mask
and stay 2 metres apart;

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and obviously washing
at the arrival

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and departure of the clinic.

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In addition to getting
the vaccine,

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what other health measures
should be taken

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during flu season this year?

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It's important to remember

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that in addition to getting
the annual flu shot,

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other public health measures
are equally as important

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to fight the spread
of influenza, the flu,

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and COVID-19.

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This includes

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maintaining a 2 metres physical
distance from each other,

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wearing a mask
when out in public,

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frequently washing your hands

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and practicing cough
and sneeze etiquette.

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Lastly, if you are sick,
it's important to stay home,

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avoid infecting others and
call your health care providers

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to determine
if you should be tested.

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Is there anything else
you'd like to add?

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I'd like to thank all members
of the Defence Team

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for everything they are doing
in the fight against COVID-19

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and ask them to once again
apply the same vigilance

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and dedication when it comes
to this flu season

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by getting their flu shot.

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Thank you very much
for joining us today,

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Major-General Bilodeau.

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♪