Cecile Cassista, executive director of the N.B. Coalition for Seniors.
The Progressive Conservatives’ plan to offer free high-dose vaccines for seniors is good news, according to the NB coalition for seniors.
Executive director Cecile Cassista says a higher-antigen vaccine will better protect seniors, which make up a large portion of the province’s population.
Cassista says the immune system weakens as people age, which increases the risk of influenza-related complications and reduces the ability to respond to regular influenza vaccines.
She says high-dose vaccines for residents over 65 would decrease the cost of care for older adults and reduce the number of hospitalizations.
Cassista adds that the coalition has been asking for the stronger flu shot since April and that eight provinces and territories across the country are already offering it to seniors, free of charge.
The initiative is part of the Progressive Conservatives’ platform, leader Blaine Higgs says it would be available starting next month and seniors will be able to have the flu shot done at the pharmacist of their choice at no charge.
