Flu shots delivered by family doctors will be covered by MCP this fall
This fall, flu shots will be covered under MCP. This means patients will now be able to receive a flu shot from a participating family doctor at no cost.
“We are facing a global pandemic and it is extremely important to ensure that all citizens of our province have maximum flu shot protection. Increasing our influenza vaccination rate will help alleviate the burden on our health care system, which will require surge capacity to deal with a possible second wave of COVID-19,” said NLMA President Dr. Lynette Powell.
Seasonal influenza is an acute respiratory viral infection that spreads easily from person to person. The flu shot is the most effective way to prevent against influenza, as well as reduce severity of infection and influenza-related complications. The flu shot is especially important for people who are at greater risk of complications, such as seniors, young children, pregnant women and those with chronic health conditions.
“While a flu shot will not protect you from COVID-19, it will protect you from getting influenza, which causes more than 12,000 hospitalizations and 3,500 deaths in Canada each year,” said Dr. Powell.
“Newfoundland and Labrador has an aging population and some of the highest rates of chronic disease in the country. That’s why this flu season, we are asking everyone over the age of 6 months to get the flu shot.”
In 2017, the provincial government eliminated coverage of influenza vaccines under MCP. The government has now reversed that decision on a temporary basis for the current flu season. This is welcome news to doctors and their patients.
“Family doctors will provide a huge and immediate increase in the health care system’s capacity to deliver flu shots. We are widely distributed across the province and we have close relationships with vulnerable populations. Family doctors are also able to identify their high-risk patients within their practices to ensure these individuals are vaccinated. We stand ready for our patients,” said Dr. Powell.
“The NLMA also remains committed to advocating for the permanent reinstatement of MCP coverage for the influenza vaccination. We need to permanently increase the province’s low influenza vaccination rate, not just during COVID-19,” she added.
Details about flu shot availability will be released by Public Health later this fall.