DT News: Surgeon General on the benefits of the flu vaccine

Video / October 5, 2020

Transcript

It’s more important than ever for Defence Team members and their families to receive their annual flu shot this year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today, Major-General Marc Bilodeau, Surgeon General for the Canadian Armed Forces joins me to speak more on the benefits of the flu vaccine.

Thanks so much for joining us, sir.

Q1: Why is it so important that Defence Team members and their families receive the seasonal flu vaccine?

With flu season fast approaching, there is growing concern among health professionals of a “twindemic” – an overlap of flu season and a second wave of COVID-19 cases this fall and winter. In light of COVID-19 precautions, any respiratory infection, such as the flu, could lead to you or your family having to stay home from work, school and public spaces. Also, if someone with COVID-19 also gets the flu, they could have worse symptoms like coughing and sneezing that makes them more likely to spread infection.

Not only will the flu shot help to keep you and your family members healthy, it will reduce burden on our healthcare system by helping to ensure hospitals are not trying to care for flu and COVID-19 patients at the same time. Finally, by reducing the amount of respiratory viruses in circulation, it will reduce the requirement for using limited testing capability to roll out COVID-19 infection.

Q2: When and where can Defence Team members and their families get their annual flu shot?

Regular Force CAF members can attend a flu shot clinic through Canadian Forces Health Services. Please rest assured that clinics will adhere to COVID-19 public health measures when administering flu vaccines. More information about flu shot clinics will follow in the upcoming weeks from your local Canadian Forces Health Centre.

Class A and Class B reservists on short-term contracts and their families can access the flu vaccine through their provincial healthcare systems.

Civilian employees can get a flu shot through their healthcare provider, a local clinic or at a pharmacy. We are also exploring offering the flu vaccine for civilian employees currently working at bases and wings. Stay tuned for more information on this in the coming weeks.

In the event that the flu vaccine is not offered free of charge, the expense can be claimed under the Public Service Health Care Plan.

Q3: How can Defence Team members and their families safely get the flu shot while avoiding large gatherings of people?

Flu shot clinics, whether through Canadian Forces Health Services or through provincial healthcare system will be delivered in line with COVID-19 public health measures. This includes:

  • not allowing anyone who is sick to receive the vaccine;
  • ensuring physical distancing is respected;
  • avoiding having large crowds for clinics;
  • asking patients to wear a mask and stay 2 metres apart and;
  • thoroughly wash their hands or use an alcohol-based sanitizer at arrival and departure.

Q4: In addition to getting the vaccine, what other health measures should be taken during flu season this year?

It’s important to remember that in addition to getting your annual flu shot, other public health measures are equally as important to fight the spread of influenza and COVID-19. This includes maintaining a 2 metre physical distance from others, wearing a mask when out in public, frequently washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when washing isn’t possible, and practicing cough and sneeze etiquette. Lastly, if you are sick, it’s important to stay home, avoid infecting others and call your health care providers to determine if you should be tested.

Q5:Anything else you’d like to add?

I'd like to thank all Defence Team members for everything they are doing in the fight against COVID-19 and ask them to once again apply the same vigilance and dedication when it comes to this flu season by getting their flu shot.

Thank you very much for joining us today, Major-General Bilodeau.

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