Publically funded influenza vaccine
The New Brunswick Department of Health provides publicly funded influenza vaccine for individuals at high risk of influenza complications as well as for members of their households.
Eligible Groups
The eligible groups for receipt of free influenza vaccinations this year include:
- Adults and children with chronic health conditions as per NACI recommendations for 2011-2012 influenza season:
- cardiac or pulmonary disorders (including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis and asthma);
- diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases;
- cancer, immune compromising conditions (due to underlying disease and/or therapy);
- renal disease;
- anemia or hemoglobinopathy;
- conditions that compromise the management of respiratory secretions and are associated with an increased risk of aspiration;
- morbid obesity (BMI≥40); and
- children and adolescents with conditions treated for long periods with acetylsalicylic acid.
- People of any age who are residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities;
- People ≥65 years of age;
- Healthy children 6 months to 18 years of age;
- All pregnant women;
- Aboriginal people;
- People capable of transmitting influenza to those at high risk:
- household contacts (adults and children) of individuals at high risk of influenza-related complications (whether or not the individual at high risk has been immunized), as listed under adults and children with chronic health conditions;
- household contacts of infants <6 months of age;
- household contacts of children 6 months to 59 months;
- members of a household expecting a newborn during the influenza season.
Health care workers and child-care providers
Certain health and child-care providers are not eligible to receive the publicly funded vaccine. It is strongly recommended, however, that they receive an annual vaccination.
Delivery of seasonal influenza vaccine
Seasonal influenza vaccine will be provided in NB through four major modes: primary care providers, Public Health nurses, certified pharmacists and by the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON).
Vaccination will continue to be provided through primary care providers to all eligible groups..
Public Health will be involved in the delivery of seasonal influenza through paediatric immunization clinics and dedicated influenza clinics. Public Health Offices.
Victoria Order of Nurses will be providing the vaccination to the following groups:
- children 6 months to 18 years of age;
- all pregnant women;
- adults ≥65 years of age;
- household contacts of infants <6 months of age;
- household contacts of children 6 months to 59 months;
- members of a household expecting a newborn during the influenza season.
The New Brunswick Pharmacist Association will be providing children aged 5 to 18, adults aged 65 and older as well as individuals with identified chronic conditions aged 5 years and older, who are known to the pharmacist will be able to receive the vaccine at select pharmacies.
Some workplaces will also hold influenza immunization clinics. Please check with your employer to see if they are available.