NORTH SYDNEY, N.S. — It didn’t hurt at all.
When Tanya Howley, pharmacist/associate owner of Shoppers Drug Mart North Sydney, gave me my annual flu shot this past Monday, I hardly felt a pinch. But then, after giving thousands of f shots over the past few years, Howley has developed a gentle, practiced style.
Because of its role in keeping flu numbers down, she hopes to be giving a lot more needles this season and for good reason.
“People should get the flu shot to remain as healthy as possible. The flu does kill quite a few patients every year.” she says. “Any preventative measures are great.”
Indeed. Each year in Canada, the federal government estimates influenza causes 3,500 deaths and 12,200 hospitalizations, depending on the severity of the season. Influenza and pneumonia are ranked among the top 10 causes of death in this country. Peak flu season starts around December and lasts about 10-16 weeks. Between 10 and 20 per cent of the population will get the flu each year.
But just because you may be a member of the lucky 80 per cent who won’t get the flu, you still need to get a flu shot, says Howley.
“We need to be vaccinated so we healthy individuals don’t carry the flu and pass it on to others without having the symptoms,” she says. “Just because you haven’t been sick or you don’t get the flu or are healthy yourself, you basically vaccinate yourself so you don’t pass that virus on to an individual who may be more susceptible to it. “
Children and the elderly are especially suceptible since their immune systems may not be able to produce a sufficient immune response to the virus. The flu virus can also live on inanimate objects like door handles and desk so anyone can end up infected. Even with the flu shot, you should wash your hands often, sneeze or cough into your arm and isolate yourself if you feel symptoms so you don’t infect others.
Pharmacies throughout Nova Scotia gave out about 154,000 influenza immunizations last year. The flu shots are free to everyone and available to everyone over the age of five. Although children under the age of five and over the age of six month can also receive flu shots, these are usually done in physicians’ offices.
Del Bradley, a 35-year-employee of Shoppers Drug Mart in North Sydney, makes sure she receives her flu shot every year.
“It’s to help me, my family, and the public and my co-workers,” says Bradley as she got her shot. “I get it every year. I get the flu the odd time but it’s very mild.”
It does take about 10 to 14 days for the body to develop immunity so getting your shot now will lessen your chances of getting the flu when the season begins.
While there have been some issues initially with getting supplies this year, doses of the vaccine are still in transit so if there’s none available when you go to get a shot, just check back again in a few days or attend one of the flu clinics that are being arranged.
However you get it, just do it.
“Please get vaccinated,” says Howley.
RELATED:
Some Nova Scotia doctors' offices, drugstores short on flu vaccine already
