Civilian flu vaccine clinics for employees
November 12, 2020 – Defence Stories
Calling all National Defence civilian employees who regularly conduct business in the workplace and would like to receive their flu shot!
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to get your annual flu vaccine – your best defence against the flu. It can protect you if you are exposed to the flu virus, will reduce the severity of your symptoms if you do get the flu, and can protect those close to you.
Our collective efforts over the past several months have helped to minimize the spread of COVID-19 – let’s keep this momentum going. By combining the flu shot with our existing public health measures (handwashing, wearing a mask, physical distancing, etc.) we will greatly reduce the chances of an overlap of flu season and a resurgence of COVID-19 cases, and will reduce the burden on our healthcare systems.
How can employees receive the flu shot?
DND is offering the flu vaccine to employees who are conducting business in the workplace on a regular basis. The vaccine will be provided at no cost to those currently working in the National Capital Region and at select bases and wings across Canada. Please note, the vaccine for employees will be provided through an outside service provider (Calian) and not Canadian Forces Health Services, which is responsible for administering the flu vaccine to CAF members only.
With only a limited number of vaccines available, priority will be given to employees regularly working onsite. Eligible employees will be contacted by their leadership team to be made aware of this opportunity and confirm their availability. Employees will have to be available during vaccine clinic timeframes. Flu clinic contacts will also confirm the date and location of clinics to those employees receiving the vaccine. Any remaining supply of vaccines will be made available to other employees on a first-come, first-served basis, coordinated by each base and wing.
We encourage employees who are working remotely to receive their flu shot through their local health care provider or pharmacy as there is no guarantee that remaining quantities will be sufficient to accommodate demand. Regular Force CAF members and full time Reservists (>180 days) can receive their flu vaccination by attending a clinic organized by Canadian Forces Health Services. More details can be found by contacting your local Canadian Forces Health Centre. Class A and Class B Reservists on short-term contracts (<180 days) and their families are encouraged to receive the vaccination through a healthcare provider, a local clinic, or at a pharmacy. OUTCAN members and their families can receive their flu vaccination from their local military medical treatment facility or civilian provider.
For more information about the flu and the flu vaccine, be sure to reach out to your manager and visit the Government of Canada’s Get your flu shot page. You can also watch the Defence Team News interview with MGen Marc Bilodeau, Surgeon General for the Canadian Armed Forces, who discusses why it’s so important to get the flu vaccine in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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