Time for your flu shot

Flu season is upon us, which means it’s time for Airdrie residents to roll up their sleeves to prevent serious illnesses in the coming winter.

“The province’s flu vaccination program has begun (October 17),” said Airdrie-based pharmacist Jason Kmet, owner of the Polaris Travel Clinic and Pharmacy. “It’s a good preventative health measure.”

Kmet acknowledged that the flu has been overshadowed by COVID-19 in recent years but stressed that the flu is still out there and vaccination for it is an effective way to reduce your chances of not just catching the flu get sick, but also to reduce the severity.

“Getting the flu shot reduces the risk of illness,” he said.

The pharmacist reminded residents that the flu shot is free for all residents six months and older as long as they have an Alberta health card and it’s important to get a booster every year.

“Influenza, or the flu, is a virus and there are many different variations and subtypes of the virus,” Kmet explained. “That’s one of the reasons we need the adaptive flu shot every year – because the variants that travel around the world change over time.”

Symptoms of influenza infection include fatigue, fever, pain, headache, and a persistent or nagging cough. For many people, the flu could mean a few days off work and a few uncomfortable days of nausea, Kmet added.

“But certainly for some people who are older and already have other problems, the flu can be more serious,” he said. “We know that every year there are people who die as a result of a flu infection.

“Get the flu shot [is a way] to reduce your risk of getting sick or passing it on to other people.”

According to the Alberta government, 90 cases of this year’s seasonal influenza have been reported to Alberta health services as of Oct. 15, with just over a third of those cases in the Calgary zone. As of that date, no deaths from the flu had been confirmed in Alberta, but 15 hospital admissions and four ICU admissions were reported.

As every year, Kmet noted that the first week of this year’s boosters at his clinic was a busy time as previous recipients returned for their annual boosters.

“We always find that in the first week there are a lot of people who get the shot every year,” he said. “I think our first week numbers are comparable to last year, but in general there’s more awareness about flu shots because of everything that’s happened with COVID.”

While the flu and COVID share several symptoms, influenza is an entirely different strain of virus, Kmet reminded readers, and the flu shot has long been established as a great preventive defense against the disease.

Addressing a common misconception, he pointed out that you definitely cannot get the flu from the flu shot.

“Once you get a flu shot, it usually takes a couple of weeks to work,” he explained. “And if you’re exposed to the flu at the grocery store or whatever that same day, the vaccine isn’t going to kick in in time to help you.”

Kmet said those wishing to book a flu shot at his clinic can go to the Polaris Travel Clinic and Pharmacy website at polaristravelclinic.ca or call the pharmacy directly at 403-980-8747. Walk-ins are also possible, but places are limited.

“We do walk-ins,” Kmet confirmed, “but the only thing about a walk-in is when we have appointments, we make the appointment with people first. But usually you don’t have to wait long for a walk-in.”