Flu shots more important than ever during pandemic

Oct 19, 2020 | 4:10 PM Pete McIntyre

Every fall, healthcare providers encourage people to get vaccinated against the flu. This year, that message is stronger than ever. Interior Health Medical Health Officer Dr. Carol Fenton says there are two main reasons Interior Health is promoting the flu shot more this year.

“The first is that we need to relieve the burden from the healthcare system that’s already working very hard with COVID prevention measures,” Fenton said. “Normally, every year we see a rise in illness and hospitalizations from the flu and we need to prevent that this year.”

Fenton says the second reason the flu shot is more important this year is to prevent illness in school and the workplace.

“Getting the flu shot is one way to prevent missing school days, work days or daycare.”

The flu season is already here and Interior Health is anticipating strong demand for the flu vaccine.

“The province has allocated us in the ballpark of 300,000 doses,” Fenton said. “Our community providers have all ordered more doses than they have before, so we are optimistic that the supply is quite good.”

This year, Interior Health is taking a different approach to providing the flu shot, forgoing their normal clinics to avoid crowds and line-ups.

“We’re working very closely with our community vaccine providers,” Fenton said, “so the family doctors and pharmacists for example that give the flu shot are ramping up their availability this year, and then there will also be flu appointments available through Public Health if you can’t get in with those providers.”

Fenton says people should aim to get their flu shot before mid-December as the flu season peaks around the end of December and early January.

“Most pharmacies and community providers have received their allocations and are taking appointments now. Some people might be frustrated because it might take a little while to get an appointment and the reason for that is, again, we can’t have too much congregation, they can’t do too many appointments at the same time.”