The peak flu season usually runs December to February, and flu shots will soon be available.
Being in the midst of a pandemic, is it more important to get one?
Pharmacist Janet MacDonnell says yes., “If you have the flu, it is going to make your more vulnerable to a harsher attack of the COVID-19, so it will complicate the treatment. It is also very difficult to differentiate between the flu and COVID-19. The symptoms are very similar, headache, cough, muscle aches and fatigue.”
She adds, we could possibly end up overwhelming our healthcare system, just trying to diagnose whether or not it is the flu or COVID-19.
Around 99,000 flu shots were given last year in the province.
The New Brunswick Pharmacists Association expects there will be a bigger demand for flu shots this year.
MacDonnell says, “This year we are expecting that volume will increase. We do know more people are considering getting the flu shot, which is great, so there will be a higher demand.”
If you are planning to get one, you should be prepared for a different process this year, “Expecting this year there will be more appointment based flu shots. There are more questions that need to be asked, and of course, we need to do an assessment for COVID-19 in addition to our typical questions prior to getting a flu shot,” MacDonnell says.
Flu shots are generally available in October.
