Most provinces to offer free flu vaccine for infants

Most provinces and territories are preparing to pay for extra flu vaccines after the Canadian Pediatric Society recommended the jabs for all healthy babies between six months and 23 months of age.

British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Yukon and Northwest Territories are now offering or will introduce free flu vaccines for infants.

Saskatchewan offers free flu vaccine for children with chronic health conditions. Doctors in some provinces may charge a fee for administering the shots.

The society made its recommendation in response to the high numbers of infants being hospitalized because of complications from the flu in past years.

Last year in Canada, four children died of influenza-related causes.

Most years, about 1,000 children under 16 are hospitalized with flu complications.

Studies in the U.S. suggest babies are at as high a risk of ending up in hospital as seniors, according to Dr. Joanne Embree, head of the infectious diseases and immunization committee at the Canadian Pediatric Society.

"It does cause a significant burden on the health care system and it's a very significant burden for children and their families," said Embree.

By paying for the vaccine, provincial and territorial governments are sending the message that it's important for children to be protected against the flu, said Dr. Robert Strang, medical officer of health in Nova Scotia.

"I think the impact will be fewer sicker children, fewer children having to be hospitalized," said Strang. "It will also have a significant impact on the spread of influenza because we know often that influenza starts in children and is spread to adults."

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For those under nine, it takes two needles to protect against flu in the first year; after that, one annual jab works to keep the virus at bay.