Flu Shot – Yay or Nay? | By Paul Bowman

This post is presented by Bowman’s Pharmasave.

The annual flu shot – yay or nay? I hear this question a lot! I also hear “I’ve never had the vaccine and I’ve never had the flu” or “I heard someone that got the flu shot last year and still caught the virus”

So, with all this information flying around what should a mom do?

Here is my take on it:

I know that eating right and exercising is good for me – I wouldn’t argue that its anything but healthy for my body but yet I know this and still don’t always follow my own advice all of the time.

The same can be said of flu shots – I know they are a useful tool to help prevent the spread of the flu virus – which to the more vulnerable members of society – the young, the elderly and those with chronic health conditions such as asthma and diabetes – contracting the flu can have life threatening consequences.

Despite knowing that Flu kills roughly 3500 Canadians every year I would guestimate that in the last 10 years I have had the flu shot 8 times, so although I know its importance there have still been years where I forgot, or got busy or didn’t make the time to get it done.  The years I didn’t get the vaccine I didn’t get the flu but I know that that logic is not a reason for not getting vaccinated again in the future.

So, I strongly encourage everyone to get the vaccine to help protect not only themselves but the more vulnerable members of society; just as I would always recommend all children getting their regular childhood immunizations to prevent the re-emergence of disease that have all but been wiped out as a result of vaccination policies.

So, if you are going to get your kids vaccinated this upcoming flu season here are a few things to remember:

1. The vaccine is not a live virus – getting the vaccine cannot give your loved one the flu

2. The vaccine varies every year based on previous years’ strains – viruses can mutate so getting the vaccine doesn’t 100% guarantee that you won’t contract flu – but it definitely reduces the likelihood.

3. Not all kids love getting needles – imagine that!  Here are a few tips to help mom and child make the injection as painless as possible:

4. Anesthetic creams and patches can be purchased at the pharmacy and placed on the skin at least an hour before the injection to help numb the area so the child is less likely to feel the needle

5. It’s a good idea to distract your child with games

6. Encourage your kids to take deep breaths if they are feeling anxious

7. Post injection it is fine to give children’s Tylenol or Advil if your child has a sore arm

8. It’s important to distract your child rather than trying to reassure.

Flu Vaccine can be given at any time throughout the flu season (October-April) but to provide most benefit it makes sense to get it earlier in the season.

Pharmacists have authority to offer the vaccine to anyone over the age of 5 and we would be happy to offer our service here at Bowman’s.

If you have any questions about flu prevention, symptoms and treatment or the vaccine in general feel free to stop in by, drop me a line or reach out on our FB page.

Here’s to a flu free season for your household!

Paul

Bowman’s Pharmasave | 506.206.7977 | Follow us on Facebook!


MEET PAUL BOWMAN

Paul was born and raised in Ellon, Scotland, located just outside the city of Aberdeen, Scotland.  He completed his Masters of Pharmacy at Robert Gordons University in Aberdeen, Scotland.  After working in Stirling, Scotland for a year as a staff pharmacist, he was recruited to work for a short term in Alberta as a pharmacist.  What was supposed to be a two year stay in Canada has turned into 14 years, and he was thrilled to become a Canadian citizen in 2016.

Paul has a passion for customer service having been in the service industry in one form or another since the age of 14.  Paul loves helping patients find ways to improve their health and ensure they thrive.  Paul will ensure that all patients and customers receive a great customer experience along with all the expert advice and guidance you would expect from your pharmacy team.

Paul and his wife Lindsay decided to make Fredericton their permanent home in 2015.  They instantly fell in love with the city, the friendliness of the people, recreation amenities and the charming downtown core with all its great restaurants and shops.

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