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Flu, COVID vaccines available as of Oct. 15

Get it to protect yourself and others, says pharmacist
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THAT TIME AGAIN — Pharmacist Jill Bocking administers an influenza vaccine to Cathy Verbicki, 65, at the St. Albert Midtown Apothecary on Oct. 14, 2021. Bocking and scores of other Alberta pharmacists will be administering 2024’s flu and COVID shots as of Oct. 15. KEVIN MA/St. Albert Gazette

St. Albert residents should get their flu and COVID-19 shots as soon as possible starting next Tuesday before a sharp spike in infections hits, says a U of A researcher.

Alberta pharmacies are set to start distributing COVID-19 and influenza vaccines on Oct. 15. These free shots are designed to stop people from getting the latest strains of either disease. Albertans have been able to book their shots through the Alberta Vaccine Booking System or by calling a pharmacy since Oct. 7.

Pharmacist Jill Bocking said she already had more than a hundred people signed up for the shots as of Oct. 8 at Midtown Apothecary, and expected to administer several hundred doses in the week of Oct. 15.

“They’re excited about it!” she said of her clients.

“It’s better to do it before [the diseases] start spreading around.”

Bocking said you can get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time, and, if you get them at Midtown, you may get a cookie. She encouraged everyone to get both.

“You’re protecting yourself, but you’re also protecting other people too.”

This year, the province is also giving out free shots of the Abrysvo vaccine for seniors 60 and up in continuing care or supportive living homes to protect against respiratory syncytial virus — a disease commonly spread in the fall and winter that causes cold-like symptoms in most but can cause severe consequences in infants, seniors, and the immunocompromised. Seniors living in the community who are 75 and up can also get these free shots. Everyone else has to pay.

This is the second year that the RSV vaccine has been available in Canada and the first time it has been funded by the Alberta government, Bocking said. She saw significant uptake of it last year at Midtown despite its $275 price tag, and predicted similar interest in it this fall.

RSV shots will be available as of Oct. 21, the province reports. Anyone who gets a flu or COVID-19 shot will have to wait at least two weeks before getting the RSV shot.

Get them soon

University of Alberta infectious disease professor Lynora Saxinger urged Albertans to get their flu and COVID-19 shots as soon as possible.

“Last year and the year before there was a really abrupt surge in influenza in the community,” she said, one that happened right around late October, putting significant strain on hospitals.

“It worries me a little bit that we’re starting [vaccinations] a little bit late.”

Saxinger said people could hold off on their COVID-19 shots for a bit if they had a COVID booster or infection in the last three months, as those would offer some protection. Otherwise, they should get it right away.

“The strain has shifted far away from the last variant,” she said, so any shots taken more than three months ago will have little effect.

Saxinger said severe RSV infections are most dangerous to seniors 65 and up in congregate living settings, which is where the province is funding the RSV vaccine rollout. Seniors 60 and up who don’t qualify for the free shot should talk with their doctors before paying for it, as researchers aren’t sure how long it lasts.

Health Canada notes that vaccines and well-fitted N95 masks both help stop the spread of the flu, COVID-19, and RSV.

Some 178 Albertans died of influenza and 757 from COVID-19 last fall and winter, Alberta Health reports.

Visit bookvaccine.alberta.ca or call your local pharmacy to book your flu, COVID, and RSV immunizations.


Kevin Ma

About the Author: Kevin Ma

Kevin Ma joined the St. Albert Gazette in 2006. He writes about Sturgeon County, education, the environment, agriculture, science and aboriginal affairs. He also contributes features, photographs and video.
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