News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

By LeRae Haynes

Interior Health is announcing the location and times of free flu clinics in Williams Lake, Horsefly and Likely. Flu shots are described by Interior Health as ‘safe, effective and free’ for people in risk categories that include people over 65, First Nations residents, residents of care facilities, healthy children ages 6-23 months and health care providers.

(Cariboo Bethel Church is one of the locations of the free flu shot clinics in Williams Lake.)

Public Health Nurse Lyn Temple said that one of the most important things to remember when it comes to flu shots is that it isn’t just yourself you’re protecting—it’s also people around you that you care about.

“There are vulnerable people who are at higher risk when it comes to the flu, including babies and young children, people with chronic conditions and older people,” she said. “Babies under six months can’t get a flu shot, and the shot isn’t as effective for people when they’re older.”

Health Flu Clinics will be open on a drop-in basis at Cariboo Bethel Church on Western Avenue from noon to 6:00pm on November 1 if your last name is between A-K, on November 2 if your last name is between L-Z and on November 23.

You can also access your free flu shot at the Horsefly Community Hall on Tuesday, November 15 from 11:00am to 2:00pm and at Likely Community Hall on Thursday, November 17 from 11:00am to 2:00pm.

Lyn explained that, for a healthy person, the flu shot is about 70-90% effective. “When we’re healthy we don’t always know when we have the flu,” she said. “We might feel feverish and achy and have a headache and may think we have a cold.”

Getting a flu shot can help reduce the chance that your symptoms will infect someone close to you. For more information from Interior Health about flu shots, visit www.interiorhealth.ca

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