Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services is sharing information to help people stay safe during the flu and respiratory illness season. There continue to be cases of influenza in the province, with almost all cases caused by influenza A. It is particularly important to help protect those who are at risk of more severe illness including seniors, young children, people with chronic conditions, and pregnant individuals.

Learn more about vaccination and other ways to help prevent the spread of flu as well as important reminders about masking and visitation guidelines at health-care facilities.  

It’s not too late to vaccinate!

• Anyone 6 months of age or older can get the flu vaccine as well as the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines are safe and effective and continue to be the best way to protect yourself and others from severe illness.
• For more information and to book an appointment, please visit TimefortheShot.ca.
• Toll-free phone numbers are also available for vaccine bookings: Eastern-Urban and Eastern Rural Zones – 1-833-951-3884; Central Zone – 1-833-961-3749; Labrador-Grenfell Zone – 1-833-960-3643; and Western Zone – 1-833-703-5470.
• Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are also available at no cost through participating local pharmacies, family physicians and nurse practitioners.

Other ways to help prevent the spread of flu and other respiratory viruses

• Stay home when feeling sick.
• Wear a mask in crowded or indoor spaces, particularly if you are at higher risk of complications.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue.
• Regularly clean and disinfect areas that are often touched by others (e.g. doorknobs).  

Visiting loved ones in hospitals and long-term care homes

• Self-screening for COVID-19/respiratory illness is required for visitors/support persons. Learn more.
• Visitors/support persons who are feeling unwell or sick should not visit patients/long-term care residents or accompany others to appointments. Please wait until 24 hours after symptoms resolve before visiting hospitals and long-term care settings.
  • For extenuating circumstances such as labour and delivery or end-of-life, visiting should be done in consultation with the clinical care team.

Masking guidelines at health-care facilities

• Masking is temporarily required in all clinical areas in hospitals and health-care facilities, including long-term care facilities. Masks are available at health-care facilities.
• Visitors/support persons, clients and patients (in outpatient clinics and emergency departments) are required to wear a well-fitted medical mask in waiting areas for health-care services/appointments, care/treatment areas and while visiting patients and long-term care residents. Learn more.
• These precautions are in place to help keep patients, clients, long-term care residents, visitors, staff and physicians safe and help in the prevention and spread of infection.

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