Flu shots will be covered under MCP this fall, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association is calling that a “win for the population.”

The province has authorized the free flu shots this year to help raise vaccination rates to 80 per cent to help prevent a double pandemic of both COVID-19 and influenza.

Dr. Lynette Powell, President of the NLMA, says they are hoping the process will be as simple as making an appointment with a family physician or going to a clinic and getting the vaccine.

She says that’s how the system worked before and it was efficient, now they just have to work around the COVID-19 measures.

Powell says family doctors have an advantage when giving out the flu shot as they know who in their practice will need it most and can ensure they get it.