Flu vaccines available soon

With flu season right around the corner, the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region is encouraging everyone to get an influenza vaccination as soon possible.

Public health nurse and immunization lead Danielle Sande said the vaccines will be available starting Oct. 23 at several sites around the city. Pharmacies are authorized to give the vaccines to anyone over nine-years-old, she said, and there is no cost to the patients. The disease appeared quite aggressively in the southern hemisphere earlier this year, Sande said, which makes immunization all the more important.

“They did have quite a severe flu season this year, so we’re just waiting to see if that’s going to hold true for the northern hemisphere as well,” she said.

Sande said lab-confirmed cases of influenza have already popped up in Saskatchewan and several other provinces. She said this indicates an early start for the North-American flu, which is typically most prevalent between November and March.

Children under five and adults over 65 have the highest risk of complications arising from the flu, Sande said, so it is especially important for children and seniors to be immunized. Those living with a higher-risk person should also ensure they get vaccinated.

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“It does take around two weeks after receiving your flu shot to build up the protection,” Sande said. “So the earlier that you get the flu shot, the better protection you’re going to have.”

While some may avoid the injection based on their good health or uncomfortable side-effects associated with the immunization, Sande said neither is a good excuse. The stomach flu and influenza are completely different diseases, she said, and those who have avoided stomach flu have no guarantees against influenza. While the vaccine can have some minor side-effects, Sande said they are nothing compared to the week-long suffering associated with the flu.

“If you’ve ever spoken to anybody who’s had lab-confirmed influenza, they’ll tell you they’ll get a flu shot any day,” she said.

A full schedule of Prince Albert Parkland Health Region immunization clinics can be accessed online.

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On Twitter: @PrinceAlbertNOW