Flu season is here!

Each year, in late fall and through the winter, flu strikes. Influenza, usually called the flu, is a common, highly contagious respiratory infection that affects the nose, throat and lungs, and can make you feel quite ill. Symptoms usually last about a week to 10 days. The flu is not like a common cold. It is a serious infection, especially in infants, seniors and in people who have other medical conditions such as: diabetes, anemia, cancer immune suppression, HIV or kidney disease.  The flu may also lead to complications, such as pneumonia, and may worsen certain other conditions like asthma, congestive heart failure or diabetes.  Want to learn more about the flu and how it could impact you? Chat with your pharmacist for more information.  Want to learn more about the flu and how it could impact you? Chat with your pharmacist for more information.

You can receive more than one vaccine during the same visit at the Pharmacy. This saves you time and makes it easier for you to stay up to date on your immunizations. For example, you can receive your flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine in the same visit.  Speak to your pharmacist on which vaccines you are eligible to receive. Age restrictions for pharmacist administration of influenza and COVID-19 vaccines to children vary by province. Check with your pharmacist for further details.

Every Canadian over the age of 6 months should get an annual flu vaccination.1 Even young, healthy people can get the flu and become seriously ill or spread it to high-risk people.  The flu vaccination is the best way to help prevent catching or spreading the flu. Even if you had a flu vaccination last year, you need to get one this year.   The flu vaccine is especially important for - Children aged 6-23 months¹ - Adults and children with chronic heart and lung disease or chronic conditions such as: diabetes, anemia, cancer, HIV or kidney disease  - Anyone living in a nursing home  - People aged 65 and over  - Anyone under 18 who’s on long-term aspirin (ASA) therapy  - Healthy pregnant people  - Health care workers; caregivers 

Children younger than six months¹  Anyone who’s had an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine in the past. People with severe allergic reactions to eggs are able to receive the flu vaccine, but there may be some restrictions (talk to your pharmacist for more information).  Those dealing with an acute illness, infection or a fever should wait until they feel better before getting the flu vaccine 

The flu is a serious illness and can lead to complications, hospitalization and even death. Every flu season is different, and the flu also affects everyone differently.   Many people think that only people with health problems need an annual flu vaccination. This is NOT true. Healthy people can also get very sick from the flu and spread it to others who are in the high-risk categories.   The flu can leave you ill for up to seven days or more. The good news is that flu vaccination effectiveness is greatest among healthy adults and older children. Everyone 6 months1 of age and older should get the flu shot every year.  Because it takes about 2 weeks for your body to get the full effects of the vaccine, we recommend getting your flu vaccination early in the flu season. That way, you’re already protected when the flu starts circulating in your community. Once you’ve been vaccinated, you will have the benefits of protection for as long as the flu is circulating. You need an annual vaccine because protection will decline over the year. Also, the circulating flu strain changes every year, so the flu vaccine does too. This helps protect against the flu more effectively. So, for the best protection, we recommend you get a flu vaccine every year. 

You do not have to be a PC Health™ user in order to book a flu shot at your local pharmacy. Simply make a guest booking and select your preferred location. PC Health™ is your single destination for healthcare access and wellness support, you can visit pchealth.ca or download the PC Health™ app to book your appointment. To learn more about PC Health™ visit pchealth.ca

PC Health™ is your single destination for healthcare access and wellness support, by visiting pchealth.ca or downloading the PC Health™ app to book an appointment, manage prescriptions, or access health programs. PC Health™ offers: Prescription Refills – request your prescription refills and renewals online. Receive notifications and pick up notifications to save you time in-store. Health Journey Programs – Designed to help you make positive changes one day at a time Healthcare Appointments – a centralized booking tool to receive travel health advice, or book a variety of health care needs with your local pharmacists. Visit pchealth.ca or download the PC Health™ app to learn more.