Is it just me, or is getting your flu shot is a heck of a lot easier now that you can get it done at your local pharmacy? No more calling and booking appointments, no more driving to the doctor’s, no more bad music in the waiting room. All I need to do is walk down the street to Shopper’s Drug Mart, fill out a form, flash my health card, wait until the pharmacist is free (it’s never been more than five minutes), and roll up my sleeve. Plus, there’s this:
Does it hurt to get the flu shot?
No more than any other vaccination! In other words, it hurts a tiny bit but it’s over quickly. I hate getting shots but I do it because I know it’s a smart thing to do, not just for my own health, but to protect those around me (including a few senior citizens.) This part of the deal is nothing to sneeze at. It’s your call if you don’t care about being knocked out by the flu, but there are other people to think about. If you grocery shop, take the bus, work outside the home, eat in restaurants, go to the library…. basically, SEE PEOPLE, TOUCH THINGS, or BREATHE, you can infect anyone around you.
According to the CBC, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) says the following people are at high-risk of influenza-related complications or hospitalization:
- Pregnant women;
- Adults and children with chronic health conditions;
- Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities;
- People 65 years of age and older;
- Children younger than 60 months of age;
- Indigenous peoples.
That’s not exactly a short list. Getting the flu isn’t just an extended rest on the couch and a Netflix binge. According to the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, approximately 3,500 people die of influenza-related issues each year in Canada. In Ontario, there are approximately 1,365 influenza-associated deaths per year in Ontario.
If you want to take a deep dive into the numbers, you can. Ottawa Public Health publishes up to date reports that highlight all kinds of information, including the number of laboratory-confirmed cases, flu shots delivered year-over-year, dominant strains and their peak “activity periods,” and more. (Go to this page and scroll down for the reports.)
Did you get your flu shot this year? Will you? Why or why not? I’d love to hear about your experience.
