Once again, flu shots available in pharmacies

It’s flu season again and pharmacies are opening their doors to the general public to get their free flu shots.

Pharmacists got the go ahead Monday night, moving from just giving the shots to special cases, to anyone who needs one.

Flu vaccines help reduce your risk of the flu, but according to Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacist Kuveshan Naidoo, they also help reduce the risk of an outbreak.

“It’s how we’ve managed in the past to eradicate things like smallpox,” says Naidoo. “It’s something called ‘herd immunity’. If more people have the vaccine, there’s less chance of an outbreak, so even those that are more vulnerable won’t get sick because there isn’t an outbreak.”

Between 3.5 and 8.6 million flu cases are diagnosed in Canada every year.

Naidoo urges everyone to get vaccinated to protect themselves from the flu, but has some advice for those who still get sick this season.

“As soon as you get a high fever, that would be one indication that we look at. The flu generally tends to last around 7-10 days, but if a week passes and you’re not feeling any better, that would definitely be the time to go see your doctor.”

Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, body and headaches, plus fatigue.

Naidoo suggests stocking up on pain meds, decongestants and throat lozenges, and if you do get sick, stay home from work to prevent the spread of the flu, calling that ‘good sick etiquette’.

He had one more thing to add to those who fear the flu shot itself may make them sick or even give them the flu.

“The important thing to know is that the flu vaccine that you get is actually an inactivated flu. So you can’t get the flu from getting the injection. What it does is it helps you build an immunity to fight off the flu that you might be challenged with when you’re out in public.”