Southwest AB pharmacies readying for flu vaccinations

Australia’s recent flu season comes as a warning to Canadians, as it is often a predictor for our own flu season and the associate owner of two local pharmacies is encouraging people to get vaccinated.

Loa Manning said Australia’s recent flu season showed record high numbers, and in order to avoid the same fate, she is encouraging people to get vaccinated once the vaccines become available next month.

“We had a fairly uneventful flu season the past two years because of the pandemic, and people were staying home, distancing and not being exposed as much. So, we recommend getting your flu shot as soon as possible, because it’s important to do everything we can to protect our most vulnerable people,” said Manning.

She said the latest information she received from Alberta Health Services indicated the flu vaccine will be available on Oct. 17 and people can start booking appointments now.

“Some information that’s coming out post-pandemic is that a lot of Canadians are more interested in making appointments this year, which is interesting because generally most people just prefer to walk in whenever, wherever they happen to be,” said Manning.

She believes it is because people became accustomed to using the technology available to them to make appointments, and because they know that no matter what is happening at the pharmacy, they will be taken care of at the time of their appointment.

“I guess when you have an appointment it’s easy, you know that you can plan it, it is at a certain time, you could social distance if you want,” said Manning.

She said people can get their flu vaccine any time after it becomes available, but she recommends the sooner the better as it takes two weeks to build resistance to the flu.

“Influenza normally increases in October, peaks throughout the winter and declines by April or May, so fall is usually the ideal time to get it because it takes two weeks to build resistance following your vaccination,” said Manning.

She said even though it is best to do it in the fall it is never too late, if people still decide to get it in January.

“People can get their flu shot and their COVID-19 vaccine or booster at the same time, so that might be convenient for people to do both, especially if they are behind in some of their booster shots,” said Manning.

Manning is the associate owner of two Shoppers Drugmarts, one inside Park Place Mall and another located on Mayor Magrath Drive South.

Manning said people can start booking their flu vaccines through their website.