Some Island clinics now offering walk-in flu shots for kids
Laurie Stofko waited a month to book a flu shot appointment for her kids, despite repeated warnings from the provincial government about how important it was to get her children vaccinated.
“It’s tough. You want to do the right thing, but if there's no shot or appointment available, you just have to wait your turn,” said Stofko Tuesday, outside the Victoria vaccine clinic in Quadra Village run by Island Health.
Many other parents CTV News spoke with also said they dealt with obstacles booking a slot for their children to get a flu vaccine, either waiting days for a chance to book a date after registering online, or dealing with long waits for a date when they did get to book.
Laura Berndt got her seven-year-old daughter Kara an appointment for a flu shot Tuesday, but it was several weeks in the making.
“Originally, it was hard to find dates and we had booked it a few weeks out," Berndt said. "Then she was sick, and we to reschedule a couple of times.”
Adding to the frustration, the province keeps warning folks the flu is more severe than usual this year – especially for kids – and flu shots are really important for young children, those under five years old. It’s a message provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reiterated Monday.
“In September and in November, we reiterated the importance of protecting children – in particular 6 months and older – from influenza,” she said at a news conference about the importance of flu vaccines for children.
Help appears to be on the way, however.
Starting this week, there’s a push to streamline the process. Health clinics across Vancouver Island – including the one in Quadra Village, along with some pharmacies – are now open for walk-ins.
Island Health’s Dr. Mike Benusic says the development comes at a key time for fighting influenza.
“It takes about two weeks for the vaccine really to have the best effect on the body, so getting it now can ensure that before the holiday season kids will have that best defence,” said Benusic Tuesday.
Walk-ins will be available at certain Vancouver Island clinics during the next three weeks.
Parents can also book appointments over the phone, as well as online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery caught on video
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.