Saskatchewan Ministry of Health will be providing influenza vaccine for all Saskatchewan residents during the 2011-2012 campaign. Beginning on Tuesday October 11, 2011, subject to availability from supplier, influenza vaccine will be made available through Public Health clinics throughout Saskatchewan.

Influenza vaccine will continue to be made available through regional public health offices to those physician offices that routinely offer influenza vaccine to their patients.

The publicly funded vaccine will be an intramuscular delivered product. There are other vaccine options available (such as intradermal, intranasal) that will not be delivered through Public Health.

High risk groups and their contacts are recommended to receive the influenza vaccine early. See risk groups.

As in previous years Saskatchewan Ministry of Health will not be reimbursing individuals or businesses for influenza vaccine purchased privately.

Antiviral medications are not currently listed on the Saskatchewan Formulary. Future decisions regarding coverage of antivirals will be based on influenza epidemiology, risk of severe illness, degree of mismatch between vaccine and circulating strains, influenza antiviral drug resistant strain profile and clinical guidance available at that time.

For information on flu clinics, residents can contact their local public health office, physician or regional health authority or call HealthLine at 1-877-800-0002. Updated information on clinics is also available through the websites of regional health authorities. For local health services, see the Green Pages in your phone book.

In addition to getting the vaccine, people can protect themselves against seasonal influenza by adopting infection prevention methods such as: frequent handwashing and cough and sneeze etiquette, cleaning surfaces often and staying at home when sick.

Online information and resources about influenza (the flu) from the Government of Canada, in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments.