PEI

Flu vaccination for children urged by province

The province is urging P.E.I. parents to get their children vaccinated against the flu.

Vaccination is free for children from 6 months of age to 5 years old

The province is urging P.E.I. parents to get their children vaccinated against the flu.

The vaccine is free for children ages six months to five years old. Seniors age 65 and over, pregnant women and people who have household contact with a pregnant woman can also be vaccinated for free.

All others will be charged a $7 administration fee, unless their family doctors offer it for free.

Most children, ages two to 17, will receive a nasal spay vaccine at provincial immunization clinics.

Parents and caregivers can take children to a walk-in flu clinic or call the toll-free flu vaccination program number 1-855-354-4358 to make an appointment.

Parents can also take their children to their family physician or a pharmacy.

Health P.E.I. lists its vaccination clinics on its website.

In the 2014-15 season, 98 people were hospitalized with the flu. Nine people died. Public health nursing staff, physicians, nurse practitioners and pharmacists vaccinated 48,000 individuals.