COVID-19 and the Seasonal Flu Vaccine
This year, getting the flu vaccine will look a little different. In consideration for COVID-19 safety measures, the NTHSSA is working to ensure access to flu vaccines remains safe and convenient for the public.
All persons must bring their own mask to wear while attending the clinics. If you have any symptoms of illness (cough, sore throat, fever, etc.) please postpone your vaccination appointment until your symptoms have cleared.
How to Get Your Flu Shot
You can get a flu vaccination by either requesting an appointment or attending a flu vaccine clinic. Flu clinics will be available during set times at pre-determined locations in your community. Each clinic will have rules in place to observe COVID-19 safety measures, so please contact your local clinic for more details. Please bring your own mask to wear at all appointments.
You will also be able to call Public Health to request an appointment.
Regional Flu Clinics
Please note: flu clinic information is being finalized during the week of October 5-9th. Dates below are accurate as of October 6th, 2020. Please check back if you do not see your community details below. All communities will have flu clinic availabiltiy.
Accessibility Note: If you have accessibility needs or concerns about accessing the venue(s) in which your local flu clinic(s) take place please contact your local health centre to discuss options to ensure we can accommodate your needs.
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BEAUFORT DELTA REGION (NTHSSA) |
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Fort McPherson |
Daily, starting Oct 13 |
10:00am-12:00pm 2:00pm-4:00pm |
Community Health Centre 867-952-2586 |
Walk-in clinics; clients can call their local health centre to book appointments ahead of time. |
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Aklavik |
Community Health Centre 867-978-2516 |
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Tuktoyaktuk |
Community Health Centre 867-977-2321 |
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Ulukhaktok |
Community Health Centre 867-396-3111 |
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Sachs Harbour |
Community Health Centre 867-690-4181 |
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Paulatuk |
Community Health Centre 867-580-3231 |
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Tsiigehtchic |
Starting Oct 26 |
Community Health Centre 867-953-3361 |
Clients can book an appointment by calling the local Community Health Centre. |
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Inuvik |
Oct 23-24 |
10:00am-5:00pm |
Ingamo Hall Inuvik Public Health 867-777-7246 |
Walk-in clinic Oct 23-24. Starting Oct 26, clients can arrange a vaccination appointment through Public Health. |
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DEH CHO REGION (NTHSSA) |
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Fort Liard |
Nov 2-6 |
10:00am-4:00pm |
Community Health Centre 867-770-4301 |
Clients can book an appointment by calling the local Community Health Centre. |
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Fort Providence |
Nov 2-6 |
10:00am-4:00pm |
Community Health Centre 867-699-4311 |
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Fort Simpson |
Nov 2-6 |
10:00am-4:00pm |
Community Health Centre 867-695-7000 |
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Wrigley |
Nov 2-6 |
To Be Determined |
Community Health Cabin 867-581-3441 |
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Sambaa K’e |
Nov 10-11 |
To Be Determined |
Community Health Cabin 867-206-2838 |
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Jean Marie River |
Nov 23 |
To Be Determined |
Community Health Cabin 867-809-2900 |
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Nahanni Butte |
Nov 17-18 |
To Be Determined |
Community Health Cabin 867-602-2203 |
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Kakisa |
Nov 11 |
10:00am-3:30pm |
To Be Determined |
Please contact the band office for details and to make an appointment. |
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Enterprise |
To Be Determined |
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FORT SMITH REGION (NTHSSA) |
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Fort Smith |
Oct 24 9:00am-5:00pm |
Salt River First Nation Business and Conference Centre
Public Health 867-872-6203 |
Walk-in clinic Oct 24-30. Starting November 2nd, the flu vaccine will be available every Monday by walk-in and by appointment. |
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Fort Smith |
Oct 25 9:00am-5:00pm |
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Fort Smith |
Oct 26 9:00am-5:00pm |
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Fort Smith |
Oct 27 9:00am-8:00pm |
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Fort Smith |
Oct 28 9:00am-5:00pm |
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Fort Smith |
Oct 29 9:00am-8:00pm |
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Fort Smith |
Oct 30 9:00am-5:00pm |
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HAY RIVER (Hay River Health and Social Services Authority) |
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Hay River |
Oct 26-30 9:00am-4:30pm |
Previous Medical Clinic Building, 38 Woodland Drive 867-874-8400 |
Flu clinic will be by appointment only. Residents are required to call Public Health to book an appointment at 874-8400. Clients must call 875-7391 upon arrival for their appointment and wait in their vehicle/outside the building until an HRHSSA employee escorts them inside. |
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Nov 2-6 9:00am-4:30pm |
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Starting Nov 12 Every Thursday, 1:00pm-4:00pm |
Public Health |
Call Public Health at 867-874-4000 to book an appointment. |
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K’atlodeeche |
Oct 29-30 |
Ann Buggins Wellness Centre and Judith Fabian Home 874-3560 |
Flu clinic will be by appointment only. |
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Enterprise |
Nov 10 10:00am-3:00pm |
Enterprise Community Hall |
Residents are required to call Public Health to book an appointment at 867-874-8400.
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SAHTU REGION (NTHSSA) |
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Norman Wells |
Daily, starting Oct 13th |
Community Health Centre 867-587-3333 |
Clients can book an appointment by calling the local Community Health Centre.
Clients can book an appointment by calling the local Community Health Centre. |
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Tulita |
Daily, starting Oct 13th |
Community Health Centre 867-588-4251 |
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Fort Good Hope |
Daily, starting Oct 13th |
Community Health Centre 867-598-3333 |
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Deline |
Daily, starting Oct 13th |
Community Health Centre 867-589-5555 |
Clients can book an appointment by calling the local Community Health Centre. |
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Colville Lake |
Oct 20, during nursing visits |
Health Cabin 867-709-2409 |
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TLICHO (Tlicho Community Services Agency) |
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Bechoko |
Nov 2-6 |
Community Health Centre 867-392-6075 |
No walk-in clinics. Clients can call the local health centre to book an appointment. Home visits will also be provided to administer the vaccination. |
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Whati |
Community Health Centre 867-573-3261 |
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Gameti |
Community Health Centre 867 997-3141 |
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Wekweeti |
Community Health Centre 867-713-2904 |
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YELLOWKNIFE REGION (NTHSSA) |
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Yellowknife |
Oct 27-Oct 30 9:00am-6:00pm |
Multiplex, DND Gym Public Health |
Online appointment booking for mass clinic Oct 27-Nov 1. From Nov-Jan, clients can arrange a vaccination appointment through Public Health. 767-9120 |
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Yellowknife |
Oct 31-Nov 1 10:00am-4:00pm |
Multiplex, DND Gym Public Health |
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Yellowknife |
November-January, Mon/Wes/Fri 8:45am-4:00pm |
Public Health 767-9120 |
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Yellowknife Seniors Clinic |
Oct 15 9:00am-12:00pm, 1:00pm-4:00pm |
Bakers Centre |
Call Public Health at 767-9120 to book an appointment. |
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N’Dilo |
Nov 3 1:00pm-4:00pm |
Community Centre Gym |
Walk-in clinic |
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Dettah |
Nov 2 3:00pm-5:00pm |
Community Centre Gym |
Walk-in clinic |
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Fort Resolution |
Oct 22 1:00pm-4:30pm |
Community Health Centre 867-394-4511 |
Clients can book an appointment by calling the local Community Health Centre. |
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Oct 27 1:00pm-4:30pm 6:30pm-8:30pm |
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Oct 29 1:00pm-4:30pm 6:30pm-8:30pm |
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Nov 3 1:00pm-4:30pm 6:30pm-8:30pm |
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Nov 5 1:00pm-4:30pm 6:30pm-8:30pm |
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Lutsel K’e |
Oct 19-30 |
Community Health Centre 867-370-3111 |
Clients can book an appointment by calling the local Community Health Centre. Home visits will also be provided to administer the vaccination. |
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Download a PDF of the above chart here
Are you high-risk for flu complications?
You are considered a high-risk individual if you are:
- a person with health conditions, such as:
- cancer and other immune compromising conditions
- diabetes
- heart disease
- lung disease
- anemia
- obesity
- kidney disease
- neurologic or neurodevelopment conditions
- children up to 18 years of age undergoing treatment for long periods with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)
- 65 years and older
- living in nursing homes or other long-term care facility
- under 5 years of age
- pregnant or planning to get pregnant
- an Indigenous person
You are capable of passing the flu to people who are high-risk if you:
- are a health care provider
- are a caregiver
- area childcare provider
- living in a household with a high-risk person
- you provide essential services in a closed or relatively closed setting, such as a crew on a ship
Flu symptoms
Some people only get mildly ill. Others get very sick.
Flu symptoms appear 1 to 4 days after exposure to the virus. Usually they include the sudden appearance of:
- fever
- cough
- muscle aches and pain
Other common symptoms may include:
- headache
- chills
- fatigue (tiredness)
- loss of appetite
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- Some people (especially children) may also have:
- diarrhea
- nausea and vomiting
Additional symptoms to watch for in children
As a parent, you know your child best. Talk to your healthcare provider right away if you notice any of these symptoms:
- not drinking or eating as usual
- not waking up or interacting with others
- irritable (not wanting to play or be held)
Contagious period
People infected with the flu virus can spread it to others:
- starting 1 day before the first symptoms
- until approximately 5 days after the first symptoms
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Symptoms |
COVID-19 |
Cold |
Influenza |
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Fever |
Common |
Rare |
Common |
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Fatigue |
Sometimes |
Sometimes |
Common |
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Cough |
Common (usually dry) |
Mild |
Common (usually dry) |
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Sneezing |
No |
Common |
No |
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Aches and pains |
Sometimes |
Common |
Common |
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Runny or stuffy nose |
Rare |
Common |
Sometimes |
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Sore throat |
Sometimes |
Common |
Sometimes |
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Diarrhea |
Rare |
No |
Sometimes, for children |
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Headaches |
Sometimes |
Rare |
Common |
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Shortness of breath |
Sometimes |
No |
No |
If you get the flu
If you do get sick, stay home. Avoid close contact with other people until you feel well enough to get back to your usual day-to-day activities. This will help prevent the spread of the flu. Most people recover from the flu in 7 to 10 days.
If you are a person at high risk of flu-related complications and develop flu symptoms, contact your healthcare provider. Tell them about your flu symptoms over the phone before your appointment. That way, they can arrange to see you without exposing other people.
Flu treatment
Flu symptoms can be treated with:
- rest
- fluids, like water
- medication to reduce any fever or aches
In some cases your healthcare provider may prescribe medication, especially if you are:
- at high risk for flu-related complications
- very sick with severe symptoms
Over-the-counter cough and flu medicine should not be given to children younger than 6 years old. It is only safe to do so if you are advised to by your healthcare provider.
When to seek immediate attention
- Visit your nearest hospital if you develop any of these serious symptoms:
- shortness of breath, rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
- chest pain
- bluish or grey skin colour
- bloody or coloured mucus/spit
- sudden dizziness or confusion
- severe or persistent vomiting
- high fever lasting more than three days
- low blood pressure
Possible complications of the flu
- pneumonia and respiratory failure
- worsening of chronic health conditions
Other severe outcomes of the flu
- hospitalization
- death
Additional Resources