With the advent of flu season, comes time for military members to book their influenza vaccination from 11 Health Services. CO Maj Joel Bernier received his vaccine in 2021, when masks were mandatory on the Base. When you visit 11 Health Services, masks remain mandatory when you go inside. Now MGen (Ret’d) Rick Goodyear and former BComd (2011 – 2013) received his flu shot at Base HQ in the fall of 2012 to promote the vaccination process being offered at 11 Health Services. The needle used by the community health nurse. Photos Jules Xavier/Shilo Stag

Shilo Stag

An influenza vaccination is an important consideration for all CAF members.
A “flu shot” is “strongly recommended” for all military members — an influenza vaccine is also considered “essential” for certain military members. These include:
• Members at high risk of influenza complications or hospitalization;
• Members who are health care workers and whose activities allow opportunities for influenza transmission;
• Members deploying — per CJOC guidance, all members who refuse an influenza vaccine will be DAG Red;
• Members traveling outside Canada —leisure OR duty;
• Members stationed outside Canada — embassy or foreign training or exchange;
• High-readiness positions;
• Members on new entrants/recruit training; and
• Members assigned to His Majesty’s Canadian ships afloat.
For military members, you can have in-person appointments at 11 Health Services this fall. It’s by appointment only. Call ext 3190 to book your time slot with a community health nurse.
Once you have an appointment, show up for it wearing a mask. Remember to bring your CAF immunization book so it can be updated.
You can also receive the flu shot and COVID boost at the same appointment.
What is influenza?
Here’s your brief Influenza 101 course to help you navigate this medical term.
Influenza is a viral respiratory infection, spread via respiratory droplets — coughs and sneezes — and through contaminated hands and surfaces. Transmission is highest in the fall and winter
Symptoms range from mild to severe — including sudden high fever, muscles aches, cough, chills and headache.
In severe cases, influenza can lead to hospitalization and death. Influenza has historically caused widespread illness requiring absence from the workplace, which has the potential for operational impact.
Unimmunized working-age adults have an infection rate five-times higher than those who are vaccinated.
This influenza season coincides with COVID-19 pandemic and potential second viral wave this fall/winter.
“Enhanced vigilance to symptoms common to COVID-19 and influenza will lead to extended isolation of significant numbers of CAF personnel if any illness occurs,” according to medical experts.
But you can mitigate this by doing the following:
• Influenza vaccine will mitigate the anticipated personnel loss from workplaces and associated operational impact;
• Influenza vaccine can help prevent “clinical confounding” with COVID-19 infection; and
• Influenza vaccine is important to prevent an increase in health care utilization and burden of disease
What is an influenza vaccine?
• Contains four “killed” strains of influenza;
• Vaccine cannot give you influenza;
• Vaccine is given in the muscle of your upper arm; and
• Vaccine is very safe;
Common side effects include mild local reactions — redness, swelling — sore arm, while severe reactions are very rare.
Besides military members, for the 2022-23 flu season, influenza vaccination is also strongly recommended by the Public Health Agency of Canada and Manitoba Health for civilians.
When attending a clinic for a flu shot, you must wear a mask and bring your Manitoba Health card.
For up-to-date flu clinic information vista the Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) website www.prairiemountainhealth.ca
Civilian staff working for DND and their dependants have other options, too, for an influenza vaccine: call public health 204-578-2500 or visit local pharmacies or medical clinics.
Or visit Manitoba Health’s website for more info regarding flu clinic locations www.gov.mb.ca/health/flu/where.html