CANORA, SASK.- Traffic was steady as residents from Canora and the surrounding area received their vaccinations on Oct. 13 at the first flu/COVID-19 clinic of the season held at Rainbow Hall.
More vaccine-related information is available from SHA (Saskatchewan Health Authority) or Health Canada.
The following information found at Saskatchewan.ca covers both COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.
What is COVID-19?
• COVID-19 viruses are spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, sings, or breathes.
• An infected person can spread the virus even if they do not feel sick or have symptoms.
• Symptoms may include a cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, tiredness, or loss of smell or taste.
How can I prevent getting or spreading COVID-19?
• Get immunized to protect yourself and others.
• Stay home when you feel sick.
• Clean your hands regularly (use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available).
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
COVID-19 vaccine is especially recommended for:
• Adults who are 65 years of age or older.
• People who live in long-term care homes, personal care homes or other shared living settings.
• People who have health conditions that can increase their risk of severe COVID-19.
• People who are pregnant.
• Healthcare workers and other people who provide care in health facilities or in the community.
Additional considerations:
Talk to your healthcare provider before getting a COVI D-19 vaccine if you:
• Are receiving therapy or medication that decreases the immune system.
• Have a condition where the body's immune system affects the brain, spinal cord, or nerves.
• Had myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) or pericarditis (inflammation of the heart lining) after a previous COVID-19 vaccine.
• Had multisystem inflammatory syndrome.
What are possible side effects after getting the vaccine?
• COVID-19 vaccines are very safe. It is much safer to get the vaccine than to get COVID-19.
• A person cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine.
• Some people may have mild side effects for a short time:
• Pain, redness, swelling, or warmth where the vaccine was given.
• Trouble moving the arm or leg for a short time because it feels sore.
• Swollen or tender glands (lymph nodes) under the arm. This usually goes away within 7-10 days.
• Headache, muscle aches, joint pain, fever, chills, rash, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite.
Rare reactions:
• Myocarditis and pericarditis (heart inflammation): Seek immediate medical attention or call 911 if you or your child develops chest pain, shortness of breath, or a fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat after vaccination.
• It is important to stay at the clinic for 15 minutes after getting any vaccine because there is an extremely rare possibility of a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This may include hives, difficulty breathing or swelling of the throat, tongue or lips. This reaction is extremely rare (less than 1 in 1 million people) and can be treated.
What is influenza?
• Influenza (flu) is caused by a virus that spreads easily when an infected person coughs or sneezes or has close contact with others.
• Influenza can make people very sick. It can lead to a hospital stay or even death, especially for young children, older adults, and people with certain health conditions.
• Common symptoms include sudden onset of fever, cough, chills, muscle aches, headache, and a runny nose.
• People infected with influenza can spread the virus to others before they feel sick or show symptoms.
How can I prevent getting or spreading influenza?
• Get immunized every year to protect yourself and others.
• Stay home when you feel sick.
• Clean your hands regularly (use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available).
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
Who can get this vaccine for free?
• Everyone six months of age and older.
• Adults 65 years of age and older are recommended to receive an enhanced influenza vaccine for better protection.
Influenza vaccine is especially recommended for:
• People living in long-term care facilities and personal care homes.
• People with long-term health conditions, such as: lung or heart diseases, asthma, diabetes mellitus, neurological conditions, cancer, kidney disease, severe obesity, children on long-term aspirin therapy, pregnant, indigenous peoples, children six months to four years of age.
NOTE: Children younger than nine years of age need two doses, given four weeks apart, if they have never received
Groups recommended to get immunized to protect those at high-risk include:
• Healthcare workers, volunteers, and visitors to health care facilities.
• Family members and close contacts of people who are at higher risk of serious illness from influenza.
• Family members and close contacts of babies younger than six months old.
• People who live with someone who is pregnant.
• Anyone who regularly cares for children younger than five years old, either at home or elsewhere.
Who should not get the vaccine?
• People who are seriously ill, with or without a fever, should delay vaccination until they feel better.
• People who have had a serious or anaphylactic reaction to an influenza vaccine in the past, or to any of its ingredients (except eggs).
• Babies younger than six months old.
• People who developed a neurological disorder called Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) within six weeks of a previous influenza immunization.
How soon will my child or I be protected after getting the vaccine?
• Most people are protected about two weeks after getting the vaccine. This is how long it takes the body to build protection against influenza.
• How well the vaccine works can vary. It depends on a person's age, how their immune system responds to the vaccine, and how closely the vaccine matches the influenza viruses spreading in the community.
What are possible reactions to the vaccine?
• Vaccines are very safe. It is much safer to get the vaccine than to get influenza illness.
• Expected and temporary reactions that may occur up to three days after vaccination include soreness, warmth, redness, or swelling at the injection site and/or limited movement of the immunized arm or leg, headache, muscle aches, fever, chills, tiredness, joint pain, irritability, sweating, loss of appetite, and swollen lymph glands around the jaw and neck.
•Most reactions resolve within three days.
•Only treat a child's fever (at least 6 to 8 hours after immunization) if they are uncomfortable, not drinking, or not sleeping.
Less common reactions:
• Tell your public health nurse, physician, or nurse practitioner if you have experienced sore red itchy eyes and respiratory problems (difficulty breathing, cough, wheeze, chest tightness, sore throat) with or without facial swelling following a previous influenza vaccine.
• It is important to stay at the clinic for 15 minutes after getting any vaccine because there is an extremely rare possibility of a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This may include hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the throat, tongue or lips. This reaction is extremely rare (less than 1 in 1 million people) and can be treated.
Upcoming vaccination clinics across the region include:
CANORA & AREA:
Oct, 20, 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. Buchanan Club 50 Seniors Center
Oct. 20, 2 p.m.- 6 p.m. Invermay Hall
Oct. 27, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Canora Rainbow Hall
Nov. 17, 2 p.m.- 6 p.m. Canora Rainbow Hall
KAMSACK & AREA:
Oct. 21, 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. Togo Centennial Arena
Nov. 3, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. St. Josaphat- Kamsack
Nov. 24, 2 p.m.- 6 p.m. St. Josaphat- Kamsack
PREECEVILLE & AREA:
Oct. 22, 2 p.m.- 6 p.m. Sturgis READ Club
Oct. 29, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Preeceville Club 60
Nov. 18, 2 p.m.- 6 p.m. Preeceville Club 60
NORQUAY & AREA:
Nov. 6, 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. Norquay Nice Centre
Nov. 27, 2 p.m.- 6 p.m. Norquay Nice Centre
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