The Seasonal Influenza Vaccination is available from Public Health Nurses in Northern Newfoundland and Labrador each year starting in the Fall and Winter months.

This year, the vaccination program will be coordinated through the Health Myself service. You may book your appointment online here or by calling the toll free line 1-833-951-3904

  • appointments are required to ensure COVID-19 public health measures can be maintained. 
  • appointments must be booked 24 hours in advance.
  • everyone presenting for a scheduled flu shot will be screened for COVID-19 through a series of questions and will be required to wear a mask.

If you have questions about your health or flu-like symptoms, call 811.

About Influenza

Influenza is a respiratory infection caused by either the type A or type B influenza viruses, and occurs in populations worldwide. Although it is generally a self-limiting, acute illness of duration over several days, some people are at increased risk for complications of influenza.

The best way to protect yourself from influenza is to receive an influenza vaccination, in combination with hand-washing, covering your coughs and sneezes, and staying at home when you are sick.

Who should get the flu vaccine?

In the Labrador-Grenfell Health region, the influenza vaccine is administered to the public by public health nurses, and is provided free of charge, through the provincial publicly-funded vaccine program for anyone six months of age and over.

Influenza vaccine is especially recommended for the following people:

  • All pregnant women.
  • Adults and children with the following chronic health conditions:
    • cardiac or pulmonary disorders (including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis & asthma);
    • diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases;
    • cancer, immune compromising conditions (due to underlying disease and/or therapy);
    • renal disease;
    • anemia or hemoglobinopathy;
    • neurologic or neurodevelopment conditions;
    • morbid obesity (BMI ≥40);
    • Children and adolescents (age 6 months to 18 years) undergoing treatment for long periods with acetylsalicylic acid, because of the potential increase of Reye’s syndrome associated with influenza.
  • People of any age who are residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities.
  • People ≥ 60 years of age. (NL decision)
  • All children 6 to 59 months of age (< 5 years of age).
  • Aboriginal Peoples

People capable of transmitting influenza to those at high risk:

  • Health care and other care providers in facilities and community settings who, through their activities, are capable of transmitting influenza to those at high risk of influenza complications.
  • 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):
    • household contacts of individuals at high risk, as listed in the section above;
    • household contacts of infants < 6 months of age as these infants are at high risk of complications from influenza but cannot receive influenza vaccine; and
    • Members of a household expecting a newborn during the influenza season.
    • Those providing regular child care to children ≤ 59 months of age, whether in or out of the home.
    • Those who provide services within closed or relatively closed settings to persons at high risk (e.g., crew on a ship).

Others:

  • People who provide essential community services.
  • People in direct contact during culling operations with poultry infected with avian influenza

When presenting for an influenza vaccine in the Labrador-Grenfell Health region, please bring your Medical Care Plan (MCP) card with you, and, if possible, wear a short-sleeved shirt.

*Children less than nine years of age who have not received a previous influenza vaccine in the past will require two doses of vaccine separated by four weeks.