With influenza season in full swing, Alberta Health Services (AHS) continues to encourage people to get the flu shot.
According to AHS, as of Dec. 28, 2018, there has been over 4,000 confirmed cases of influenza in Alberta. In the north zone, which includes Bonnyville, there has been over 1,000.
Sarah Waskiewich, a pharmacist at Tellier’s Guardian Pharmacy, stressed the importance of taking measures to prevent yourself and others from getting the flu.
“It’s good to protect yourself, loved ones, and friends against influenza. Even if you don’t really want it for yourself, it’s always good to protect yourself from getting it so you don’t pass it along to your grandma or grandpa.”
She continued, “(The flu) can lead to pneumonia. It can lead to complications, especially if you’re elderly or already sick. If you even have family or friends that are older, or you have some kind of immune compromise condition, it’s always good to get it to protect them against it.”
Regardless of whether you’ve gotten the shot in the past, AHS recommends getting it annually.
“I think it’s important for people to know that even though they were immunized last year, they should be re-vaccinated because the protection from the immunization each season wanes over time,” expressed medical officer of health for AHS Dr. Gerhard Benadé. “We know last season the risk for Albertans to get the flu after getting vaccinated was reduced by 42 per cent.”
According to Waskiewich, Tellier’s has distributed over 600 flu shots to residents so far this season.
“It’s definitely recommended to get it earlier in the season when the flu actually hits around here, but it’s not too late. If you haven’t, it’s still good to come in (and get it). It does take two weeks to become effective after the injection, and it’s always good (to get it), the earlier, the better,” she detailed.
Flu season typically runs from October until March.
While you may experience some symptoms following your immunization, Benadé stressed that you can’t get influenza as a result of the injection.
“The contents of the vaccine aren’t infectious. The vaccine has been designed in such a way that it triggers the immune system so that individuals can develop immunity within a couple of weeks of receiving the flu shot,” he explained.
Waskiewich agreed, “Typically, a headache is kind of the main side effect after getting the flu shot or a sore arm from the actual injection itself. You really shouldn’t get influenza from the vaccine. It’s not really possible (because) it’s an inactivated virus that we’re injecting into you. If you’re getting a little bit sick, sometimes it’s just an immune response to... fighting back at it. If you get nauseous and a stuffy nose after, it’s not influenza, it was just a coincidence that you got sick after the shot.”
Immunization clinics are being offered by Bonnyville Community Health Services until the end of March for residents six months or older, while pharmacies are distributing the flu vaccine to those five-years-old and up to the end of March, as well. Both are drop-in, and don’t require appointments.
