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We regret to announce that St. George's will NOT be hosting a Flu Clinic in 2017.

The Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) has been our partner and provider of annual Flu Clinics for many years, but this year, despite our continuing willingness to host, VIHA has decided not to host a clinic at St. George's.

In a letter from VIHA, they explained:

"In recent years pharmacies have taken on a greater role in the provision of influenza vaccine and are now providing a large amount of the publicly funded vaccine to eligible adults. This change has made influenza vaccine far more accessible to the eligible adult population. Instead of waiting for an Island Health Influenza Clinic and then standing in line to receive the vaccine, eligible adults can access the pharmacy in their neighbourhood and receive the vaccine when convenient for them at any time throughout the fall and winter.

Pharmacies cannot administer vaccine to infants under the age of 5 years so Public Health Nursing will focus our resources on providing influenza vaccine to infants, children and their families.... Therefore, influenza clinics primarily focused on eligible adults and often located in churches and senior's centres will not be arranged this year."

A full copy of the letter can be found posted to the bulletin board in the Lower Hall.

We encourage Cadboro Bay residents to visit the Heart Pharmacy in Cadboro Bay Village which will begin administering the influenza vaccine to eligible adults in early November. Click here for a map and contact information.

You can also visit www.viha.ca/flu to see a list of the VIHA Flu Clinics that will be offered this year. The closest clinic to Cadboro Bay will be at Commonwealth Pool over four dates in November. 

If you would like to contact VIHA, please call: 250-544-7676 ext. 27545

St. George's Church will miss hosting the Flu Clinic this year, and we wish all our community members a safe and healthy winter season.