Saskatchewan seniors have lowest flu shot rate in Canada

Saskatchewan seniors are lagging behind when it comes to receiving theirflu shot.

Last year,Saskatchewan ranked last in the country for influenza immunization rates for residents aged 65 and up, according the Canadian Institute for Health Information.

Just over half of seniors (53.6 per cent) got a flu shot, while the national average is 63 per cent. The report also singled out the Five Hills Regional Health Authority as having the lowest immunization rates of all health authorities in the country.

How Saskatchewan health regions rank (by per cent):

• Sun Country: 62.9 per cent
• Cypress: 61
• Heartland: 60.6
• Sunrise: 57
• Saskatoon: 55.7
• Prince Albert Parkland: 54.3
• Kelsey Trail: 54.1
• Prairie North: 53.5
• ReginaQu'Appelle: 47.7
• Five Hills: 41.1

Fewer seniors are opting for flu shots

Nationally, the proportion of seniors being immunized has declined over the past several years, however Saskatchewan's proportion has decline by 17 per cent, more than any other province.

Within the province, only Sun Country and Prairie North health authoritieshave maintained steady immunization numbers for seniors, while all other health authorities have trended downward or the numbers are inconsistent, the report shows.

Provincial response

Saskatchewan Chief Medical OfficerDr. Saqib Shahabsaid the province's numbers differ slightly from the CIHI results.

"Our own data shows thaour rates have gone from a high of 66 per cent for seniors to 58 per cent so there is a bit of a decline," Shahab said.

As for what could explain that decline, Dr.Shahab said there isn't one factor. But he said it's important for seniors to remember they are thegroup most at-risk .

"Hospitalizations and unfortunately deaths are highest in people65 and older. So seniors overall and seniors with underlying health factors, the frail and elderly they benefit the most from the flu vaccine."

Earlier this year the province made it legal forpharmacists to give the vaccine.Shahab said conveniences like that could help improve the numbers.

• Updated law grants Saskatchewan pharmacists new powers

"This year we think access has been great, not just through public health clinics but more physicians are giving the vaccine as well as pharmacists," he said.