Yesterday I asked the Minister of Health why her government doesn't cover the cost of the high dose flu vaccine for seniors. View the video and read our exchange below!
“SUSAN LEBLANC: My question is for the Minister of Health and Wellness. Flu season has begun, and Public Health is urging everyone to get their flu shot, especially people over 65. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization says that seniors should get the high-dose flu vaccine, but many will not because of the cost, which can be $80 or more. My question for the minister is simple: Will her government cover the cost of the high-dose flu vaccine?
HON. MICHELLE THOMPSON: High-dose flu vaccination is available in congregate settings, high-risk settings, this year as it has been for the past number of years.
We do feel and know from science that the regular flu shot, which all of us get, is effective in the community, and we will continue to publicly fund that flu vaccine this year.
SUSAN LEBLANC: Mr. Speaker, seniors in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, New Brunswick, P.E.I., Yukon, and the Northwest Territories will have their highdose flu vaccine for free. The average cost of an influenza hospitalization in Canada is over $10,000 and in 2020, it killed almost 6,000 Canadians. Why does the minister believe that seniors in Nova Scotia don’t deserve as much access to the high-dose flu shot as seniors in the other provinces and territories?
MICHELLE THOMPSON: Again, the evidence would show that the regular flu season vaccination covers influenza well. We have also made it more available, actually, in communities this Fall by making sure that we partner with our pharmacy partners. You can now book and plan your immunization online. We continue to support seniors in this province, and we will offer high-dose flu shots in long-term care and other high-risk settings.”