FREDERICTON - The New Brunswick government may stop paying for seasonal flu shots as a way to save money, but the Opposition Liberals say it would cost more in the long run.
The province is seeking input on a proposal to eliminate free flu shots for pregnant women, people aged 18 to 64 with chronic illness and others with close contact to those people, and parents of children under the age of six.
The province also wants to eliminate payment for non-surgical treatment of skin lesions.
Tracey Burkhardt, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health, says delisting the two items could save the province about $1 million a year.
But Liberal health critic Bill Fraser says while eliminating preventive health measures may have up-front savings, it will cost more in the end when people require treatment and hospital beds.
The government is accepting comments until Sept. 27 and Burkhardt says so far all the comments have been negative.
