Seasons Greetings and Happy Holidays.
For most of many of us, this is the first time in some years we have had large holiday work parties and family gatherings. Record-breaking travel has also occurred this year in the summer and now during the holiday season. yYoung offers you the gift of protection through flu vaccine and covid booster shots. Protect yourself and your loved ones.
According to Canada’s government, here are some reasons why both shots are beneficial:
Why get the flu shot?
The flu shot is your best defence against the flu and is recommended for almost everyone who is 6 months of age or older.
Children from 6 months to less than 9 years of age who have never had a flu shot before should receive 2 doses. It’s recommended that the interval between doses be at least 4 weeks apart during the current flu season.
The flu shot helps to protect you if you later get exposed to the virus by helping to:
- prevent you from getting very sick from flu-related complications.
- protect people close to you because, when vaccinated, you’re less likely to spread the virus to others.
- reduce the overall burden on the health care system during respiratory virus season and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
- reduce your chances of being infected with the flu and other respiratory viruses at the same time, including COVID-19, which could lead to serious complications.
The flu shot won’t protect you against COVID-19, so it’s also very important to be up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccinations.
Getting your first booster dose.
For most people, their initial vaccination was 2 doses of vaccine. In 2021, this offered very good protection from severe illnesses related to COVID-19, but protection decreases over time. For new variants like Omicron, 2 doses don’t provide enough protection. Even if you’ve had COVID-19, you still need a booster. With no booster doses, you’re not up to date.
Ongoing boosters.
For full protection, everyone 5 and older needs ongoing booster doses. Invitations are sent on a rolling basis, 6 months after your last dose. For most people, it’s best to get a booster dose around periods of increased risk like the fall and winter months.
Click here to call one of our pharmacies to speak with our staff to see about eligibility and scheduling an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you.
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/flu-influenza
