Flu immunization to start Oct. 21/13 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

vtec260 · 10-17-2013, 10:25 PM

Time is here to get ready for flu season. Those of us who are for it, October 21st is the start date of public vaccination (free for those with Alberta health card).

Link to AHS website: http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/influenza.asp

Personally, I get mine every year at Safeway (convenience) to protect myself, my co-workers, family and public I deal with at work. I believe the benefit far outweighs the myths or risks. Shedding my flu virus to cancer patients or with other chronic illnesses, or little kids (ie. infecting other vulnerable people) would be inconsiderate when there are ways to prevent it.

Flumist (live virus given nasally) for those are 2-17 years old (unless you are an adult with needle-phobia) and inactive virus needle injections for the rest.

NuclearPizzaMan · 10-17-2013, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtec260

Time is here to get ready for flu season. Those of us who are for it, October 21st is the start date of public vaccination (free for those with Alberta health card).

Link to AHS website: http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/influenza.asp

Personally, I get mine every year at Safeway (convenience) to protect myself, my co-workers, family and public I deal with at work. I believe the benefit far outweighs the myths or risks. Shedding my flu virus to cancer patients or with other chronic illnesses, or little kids (ie. infecting other vulnerable people) would be inconsiderate when there are ways to prevent it.

Flumist (live virus given nasally) for those are 2-17 years old (unless you are an adult with needle-phobia) and inactive virus needle injections for the rest.

That's like, your opinion man. I'd prefer my brain not be violated by Illuminati mind control.

Keselke · 10-18-2013, 11:15 AM

You mean the mind control devises they implant in you at time of injection?

No thanks

Street Pharmacist · 10-18-2013, 12:00 PM

Almost all Shoppers have injection certified Pharmacists at all hours too (convenience)

CaptainCrunch · 10-18-2013, 12:38 PM

If your a healthy person, really let the children and elderly go first.

Ashartus · 10-18-2013, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

If your a healthy person, really let the children and elderly go first.

There generally aren't very long line-ups these days, not like the H1N1 debacle a few years ago. Between the Alberta Health clinics, doctors and pharmacies there are lots of options so I don't think there's a need to wait - just find a convenient time and location, and go get it.

Robo · 10-18-2013, 12:43 PM

what is flu mist only reason i'm asking is uhhhh because i have a friend who hates needles
edit: and can adults get it?

Street Pharmacist · 10-18-2013, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robo

what is flu mist only reason i'm asking is uhhhh because i have a friend who hates needles
edit: and can adults get it?

It is an inhaled intranasal flu vaccine. Stupid regulations on vaccines mean only a Dr can administer it as it does not fall under subcutaneous or intramuscular, so it is not often used, and only covered here in BC under special circumstances. You might get it through a pharmacy, though it's harder to get this year.

The Pharmacist will not be able to administer it, though if you fall on your way to the Dr's office and accidentally squirted it up your own nose...

Ashartus · 10-18-2013, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

It is an inhaled intranasal flu vaccine. Stupid regulations on vaccines mean only a Dr can administer it as it does not fall under subcutaneous or intramuscular, so it is not often used, and only covered here in BC under special circumstances. You might get it through a pharmacy, though it's harder to get this year.

The Pharmacist will not be able to administer it, though if you fall on your way to the Dr's office and accidentally squirted it up your own nose...

I think it's different here in Alberta. It's the default vaccine for children, and I believe adults can ask for it.

RedMileDJ · 10-18-2013, 02:43 PM

Wish they had this a month ago. My wife and I came down with the flu 2 weeks ago.

...it wasn't pretty. And yes, it was the flu. Had to go to the hospital because we were so dehydrated. Couldn't keep fluids down.

We get the shot every year. Even though we've been sick already, we'll get the shot anyway. We're lucky our little guy didn't catch it. We had his Grandmother pick him up the moment we started showing signs.

vtec260 · 10-19-2013, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashartus

I think it's different here in Alberta. It's the default vaccine for children, and I believe adults can ask for it.

Adults up to age of 59 years old. But Flumist is not as effective in adults than in kids. However, some protection is better than no protection is what I've been told.

FlamesAddiction · 10-19-2013, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

If your a healthy person, really let the children and elderly go first.

Generally I would agree in years where there is high demand.

I have had the flu shot 2 of the past 3 years (not for my own health reasons, but for my father who had health problems - I didn't want to risk getting him sick).

I think I am going to go ahead and get another this year. I haven't had so much as a cold in the past 3 years and I love it. I realize the flu shot isn't 100% responsible for that, but I am sure it helps.

I did have some minor side-effects to the first flu shot I received, but nothing that would prevent me from getting it again. The second time it was nothing. I didn't even feel the needle.

Minnie · 10-19-2013, 11:00 AM

My husband and I got our flu shots yesterday, at our doctors appointment. We have gotten them for years. We all get them now, because of the kid. Can't do the flu mist because it's a live/activated vaccine and those are a no-no due to the nature of the kid's medical issues.

Northendzone · 10-19-2013, 11:30 AM

Getting the flu shot makes me feel like crap for a couple of days. I have been passing for the past 6or so years.....

stazzy33 · 10-21-2013, 09:15 AM

I have got the flu shot every year since I was 4 (I have asthmars). Last year I went to the clinic at the old children's hospital around 2pm on a Sunday afternoon and it was so quiet there. I was in and out in 15 minutes (which is the amount of time they make you wait after having the shot). Plus you get to chat with all the cute nurses so it's definitely worth it in my opinion...

Knut · 10-21-2013, 09:34 AM

A new study has emerged regarding Pregnant Women and Flu-shots.

Quote:

Scientists found that:

if a woman contracts the flu while pregnant, the risk of fetal death increases
flu shots may reduce the risk of flu-related fetal death
flu vaccinations themselves do not increase the risk of fetal death

http://www.healthline.com/health-new...hildren-011613

My GP also mentioned that a new study is soon to come out that show's increased immunity in children under 6 Mo's of age when their mother got the flu shot during pregnancy.

vtec260 · 01-08-2014, 12:08 PM

AHS should be opening up more than two flu public clinics when the flu and H1N1 is making its round. Most pharmacies are out of stock and won't know when their stock will be replenished as most stocks are being diverted to AHS flu clinics.

Hope most people took time to get their shots.

Street Pharmacist · 01-08-2014, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtec260

AHS should be opening up more than two flu public clinics when the flu and H1N1 is making its round. Most pharmacies are out of stock and won't know when their stock will be replenished as most stocks are being diverted to AHS flu clinics.

Hope most people took time to get their shots.

Similar issues here in BC

nik- · 01-08-2014, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtec260

AHS should be opening up more than two flu public clinics when the flu and H1N1 is making its round. Most pharmacies are out of stock and won't know when their stock will be replenished as most stocks are being diverted to AHS flu clinics.

Hope most people took time to get their shots.

I got mine at a Safeway Pharmacy since all the Shoppers and Rexalls I called were either out or I had to make an appointment. People always forget about Safeway. Granted it's about the only thing the POS Kensington Safeway is good for.

Bigtime · 01-08-2014, 12:21 PM

The Bigtime family story:

My wife got the shot in October when they first came out, shortly after that the flu made the round through the entire family. So I didn't bother to get mine.

Once we heard last week that it was H1N1 again there was no question I'd get mine and take my 4-1/2 year old with me. Kid #2 is getting her scheduled shots next week and will get it then.

So we went to Brentwood yesterday, got there around 11:15 and it was a HUGE line. No big deal though, you knew it was going to be like that. We hung out, my daughter made friends with the kids in line with us, we grabbed a jugo juice. All in all it was about 2 hours and 45 minutes counting the 15 minute wait after the shot.