Richard McGuire, reporter/photographer with the Osoyoos Times, gets his annual flu shot from Steven Hopp, owner and pharmacist at Shoppers Drug Mart. Both McGuire and Hopp get the flu vaccination every year. (Keith Lacey photo)
Local health services are busy vaccinating people against this year’s seasonal outbreak of influenza.
The vaccine is available at both Osoyoos pharmacies, doctors’ offices and at scheduled clinics being held at the Osoyoos Health Centre and Osoyoos Seniors Centre.
Seasonal flu typically runs from November to April. It can be a serious illness, even though many people incorrectly refer to common colds and stomach flu as “flu.”
In an average year, seasonal flu or influenza, results in 12,200 hospitalizations and 3,500 deaths in Canada, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
After Shoppers Drug Mart Osoyoos received its vaccines recently, many people, mainly seniors, lined up to get their injections.
“We’ve been exceptionally busy with people wanting the shot,” said Steven Hopp, pharmacist and owner.
Interior Health distributes the supply in waves, meaning stores will get it in two or three batches as the season gets underway, he said.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we run out before we get the rest of our supply,” said Hopp.
Most provinces and territories provide the flu vaccine for free, but B.C. is one of just three provinces that only provide it free to certain groups of the population considered to be most at risk.
People not among these at-risk groups can purchase the vaccine.
Those eligible for free vaccinations include people aged 65 and older and their caregivers, children and adults with chronic health conditions, children aged from six months to 59 months, Aboriginal people, people who are morbidly obese, pregnant women, people working with live poultry, health-care workers and first responders.
A complete list of those eligible for free shots is available on the Interior Health website at www.interiorhealth.ca.
Hopp said his pharmacy receives two separate vaccine supplies for the free and purchased vaccines, but they are essentially the same, though made by different companies.
Each year the vaccine is intended to offer protection against the influenza virus strains expected to be circulating based on worldwide trends, says Interior Health.
This year’s vaccine offers protection against two influenza A viruses (H1N1 and an H3N2 virus) and one influenza B virus.
Because supplies are prepared in advance and viruses change and mutate, in some years the vaccine is more effective than in others.
“Last year was a particularly ineffective year to put it nicely,” said Hopp. “All of the health authorities and manufacturers admitted they got the strains wrong last year. But from what I’m told this year, it’s definitely considered better than last year’s.”
Nonetheless, Hopp says that even when a vaccine is only 60 per cent effective, it is still providing considerable protection.
“There’s piles and piles of evidence that for people who get the flu shot regularly every year, even if they do catch the flu, the symptoms tend to be less severe on average,” Hopp added. “So you could almost refer to it as having a disease modifying effect as opposed to disease prevention.”
Because the vaccine protects against three or four strains of flu, even when it is less effective against one strain, it still offers protection against the remaining two or three strains, the PHAC said.
The symptoms of flu typically start with a headache, chills and cough. These are quickly followed by fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches and fatigue, running nose, sneezing, watery eyes and sore throat, says the PHAC.
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur, especially in children.
Most people have uncomplicated influenza and recover in a week to 10 days, but some develop more serious complications such as pneumonia.
In addition to the flu shot, people can protect themselves by cleaning their hands frequently, eating healthy foods and staying physically active, keeping common surface areas clean, and keeping their hands away from their faces.
They can reduce the chance of spreading the flu by staying home if they get sick and by coughing or sneezing into their arm instead of their hand.
The Osoyoos Health Centre is providing vaccinations by appointment only from 2 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 25 and Dec. 9. Phone 250-495-6433 to schedule an appointment.
The Osoyoos Seniors Centre is providing flu vaccinations from noon to 4 p.m. on Nov. 9. Phone 250-495-6433.
Shoppers Drug Mart provides vaccinations on a drop-in basis. Phone 250-495-6055.
Pharmasave offers vaccinations from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday and on Saturdays by appointment when available. Phone 250-495-7424.
Many doctors’ offices and walk-in clinics also provide flu shots.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
