GUELPH POLITICAST #399 – It’s Not Too Late to Get Your Flu Shot

This is the last week of November. December begins on Friday, and then winter arrives three weeks after. You’re probably thinking about Christmas, but you should probably also be thinking about cold and flu season. We’re about to hit our peak with the flu, especially with all that holiday socializing coming soon, so do you have your flu shot? It’s okay if you don’t because this is the perfect time to get it!

Last week, the Public Health Agency of Canada announced that so far this year, the overall rate of influenza is low. So, it’s starting to look a lot like a normal flu season, but let’s put "normal" in perspective because influenza and pneumonia are among the top 10 leading causes of death in Canada with influenza killing about 3,500 people and sending 12,200 to the hospital.

Of course the focus of the last several years has been on COVID-19, and understandably so, but last year’s flu season was especially bad and nobody wants a repeat, which is why pharmacists and doctor want to make sure as many people as possible get their flu shots. The added bonus this year is that you can get your flu shot and your COVID booster at the same time, and there seems to be a positive impact on the uptake of both vaccines. But it could be better...

That's the message from Kevin Li who is the Senior Manager of Pharmacy Programs at the Rexall Group of Pharmacies. As this week's guest, he'll talk about what kind of flu season it’s starting to look like, why this is definitely the right time to get your flu shot, and why even the healthiest among us should take the time to get a flu shot this year. He will also talk about the flu shot supply, the impact of combining the flu shot with the COVID booster, and whether this is the new normal going forward.

So, for the umpteenth time, let's talk about why getting a flu shot is important on this week's Guelph Politicast!

If you have any questions about the vaccines for flu, COVID-19 or RSV you can consult the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health website. Flu shots are available at most, if not all, area pharmacies, and you can get them with your COVID-19 booster. You can either walk in or book an appointment so call your neighbourhood pharmacy to find out what works best.

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