NEWS RELEASE
COUCHICHING PHARMACIST NETWORK
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This year, pharmacies and primary care providers are offering more than just one type of vaccine. They can help guide you on which vaccine is most appropriate for you, based on your age and existing health conditions.
The high dose flu shot (HD-TIV) is a trivalent vaccine, which contains three strains of the flu in higher concentrations: two strains of influenza A, and one strain of influenza B.
The standard dose vaccine (QIV) is a quadrivalent vaccine, and contains four strains in total: two strains of influenza A and two strains of influenza B.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE HIGH DOSE VACCINE
Individuals who are 65 years old and over are eligible for the high dose flu shot, however, in addition to age, your pharmacist or primary care provider will make an assessment for other risk factors to determine which flu shot you should receive. These include, but may not be limited to:
- Cancer or immunocompromising conditions;
- Kidney disease;
- Uncontrolled diabetes or heart conditions;
- Lung disease, such as COPD and cystic fibrosis; and
- Residents of nursing homes or retirement homes
Seniors with the above conditions may be a priority to receive the high dose flu shot. However, if the high dose flu shot is unavailable, seniors with the above underlying health conditions should still receive a flu shot. Do not delay vaccination to wait for a certain product.
Remember that the high dose and standard dose vaccine are effective in both high-risk seniors and seniors who are generally healthy who do not have the above conditions. The most important key point is to get vaccinated.
VACCINE SUPPLY
Your local health-care providers have been busy administering immunizations to meet the high demand for the flu shot this year. In pharmacies, the amount of vaccine they receive can be variable and limited by their suppliers.
Your patience is appreciated as your pharmacist is working hard to secure a dose for you. If you have an upcoming appointment with your primary care provider, you may consider getting your flu shot at your next visit. If you are wishing to get a flu shot, please continue to call ahead to your health-care provider’s office or pharmacy to book an appointment or have your name added to a waitlist.
Flue shots are ordered every day but pharmacists have no control over how many they recieve. At some local pharmacies, appointments are available within a week, while some have one- to two-week waitlists.
All your local health providers, physicians, nurses, pharmacists and the local hospital, are working closely together to do everything they can to deliver the flu vaccine this season. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.
Contributed by Elaine Dinh BSc PharmD RPh (Staff Pharmacist at Food Basics Pharmacy) on behalf of the Couchiching Pharmacist Network
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