All Saskatchewan residents are eligible to receive a free seasonal influenza vaccination.
Influenza vaccine is strongly recommended for the following high risk groups.
Persons at higher risk of becoming seriously ill with influenza:
- adults 65 years and older
- persons with chronic health conditions including but not limited to:
- lung and heart disease
- asthma
- diabetes
- neurological conditions
- cancer
- kidney disease
- children on long term aspirin therapy
- pregnant women in any trimester
- children from 6 months to 23 months of age (under 2)
- persons with severe obesity
- residents of a nursing home or other care facility
Groups recommended for vaccination to protect those at higher risk:
- household and close contacts of persons who are in the risk groups above
- household and close contacts of infants less than 6 months old
- members of households expecting newborns
- child and daycare workers who care for children younger than 2 years of age in and out of the home
- persons who work with poultry or hogs
- all health care employees and volunteers
- health science students (human and animal health)
Influenza vaccines may be available through workplaces and may be available for private purchase at pharmacies. The Ministry of Health does not reimburse the cost of privately-purchased influenza vaccines.
