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Don’t wait, vaccinate: Flu season is here

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A quick shot to the arm can be a little pain for a lot of gain.

Along with reducing the chances of suffering through influenza this season, getting vaccinated can help those around you who are more vulnerable to severe outcomes.

It’s not just about keeping yourself safe, says Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network (PCN) Medical Director Dr. Janet Reynolds, but also loved ones who may be at higher risk for severe illness that could require hospitalization or cause death.

“We have social obligations to each other to take care of the community as a whole,” she says. “It’s about protecting the people around you that you don’t know could be vulnerable, or a parent, grandparent or newborn baby.”

Babies under six months old can’t be vaccinated and, while older adults can, no vaccine is 100% effective in preventing the flu, says Reynolds.

The more people getting the shot, the more protection for those who are at higher risk.

“We want that herd immunity,” says Dr. Reynolds.

Photo of person with bandage on their arm

Low rates, high hospitalizations

Alberta typically has low flu vaccination rates — and those numbers have declined since the COVID-19 pandemic began. For the 2023-24 flu season, according to the provincial government statistics, only about 27% of people in the Calgary area got vaccinated against influenza. In that same time frame, there were more than 16,000 cases of the flu, leading to 3,348 people needing to be hospitalized — with 363 requiring treatment in intensive care. Sadly, 177 people died of the flu.

Bust the myths

While some may skip the shot for reasons like they “never get the flu” or, they get sick even after getting vaccinated, PCN clinical pharmacist Phoebe Cheung says those are two good reasons why everyone eligible should get a flu shot.

Those who “never get the flu” are likely benefiting from herd immunity, created by those who do get vaccinated

“If the majority of the community gets vaccinated, then there’s less chance of anyone contracting the virus,” says Cheung.

Rather than relying on others, Cheung and Dr. Reynolds encourage people to contribute to herd immunity by getting a shot of their own.

Those who get the flu “anyway” will probably have an easier recovery if they do get the vaccine, adds Cheung.

“We’re not going to say you won’t get the flu, but it will be milder, with less chance of dying, being hospitalized or having a long recovery,” says Cheung. “Vaccinations lessen the severity and the duration.”

How to get vaccinated

Getting vaccinated is a simple process that usually requires no waiting time.

“The cool part is it’s so readily accessible at community pharmacies. You can get it anywhere, all the time, seven days a week,” says Dr. Reynolds.

This year’s flu immunization campaign starts on Tuesday, October 15.

Anyone ages five years and up can go to their local pharmacy to get a flu shot. Many offer walk-in vaccinations, but you can also book ahead, either directly with the pharmacy or through Alberta Health Services. For those younger than five (but older than six months), vaccinations are handled through public health immunization clinics and should be booked online or through 811.