​​'Tis the season to be jolly – but it's also flu season. As health care professionals serving First Nations people in BC, we want to share some simple steps to help you and your loved ones enjoy the holidays. 

First things first: get your flu shot

If you haven't already, we strongly recommend that you and your children get vaccinated. While this year's vaccine doesn't perfectly match this year's main flu strain (H3N2), it may decrease the risk of becoming severely ill, needing to seek emergency care, and having to be hospitalized. Vaccination also helps protect Elders, children, those with existing health conditions, and people who are unable to get the flu shot.

Flu shots are free for everyone six months and older. Book through Get Vaccinated BC or contact your community health nurse.

Other ways to stay well this season

Respiratory illnesses like cold, flu, and COVID-19 spread more easily when we gather indoors. You can help protect yourself and others by:

• Nourishing your mental, emotional, and spiritual health – in other words, your wholistic wellness. You can do this in various ways including getting outside on the land; participating in cultural or sporting activities; spending time on hobbies; and gathering with family and community.
• Washing your hands regularly.
• Covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing.
• Wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces, such as public transit.
• Staying home if you're sick, so you don't spread illness to others.
• Keeping up to date with your COVID-19 shot if you are at risk of severe illness.

Special protection for children

Speak to your primary care provider about which vaccines you and your children need or may benefit from. For example, babies born in remote or isolated communities, where there is less access to hospitals, may be eligible for the new RSV antibody designed to protect them in their first RSV season (fall and winter). And pregnant people can receive an RVS vaccine between weeks 32 to 36 to help prevent severe RSV illness for infants. 

On behalf of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer and the Office of the Chief Nursing & Allied Health Officer, we wish all First Nations people in BC a happy, healthy holiday season! Take care of yourself—you're worth it! 

Resources:

https://www.immunize.ca/sites/default/files/rsv_vaccines_in_pregnancy_web_e.pdf

https://www.cw.bc.ca/library/pdf/pamphlets/RSV-and-your-child.pdf