True or false: The flu shot
The flu vaccine is available at 85 local pharmacies and clinics throughout Windsor-Essex. The vaccination season usually spans October to February. Photo by ANGELICA HAGGERT, Media Convergence
It will make me sick
FALSE
It doesn’t work
FALSE
These are two among many myths surrounding a simple vaccination: the flu shot.
The flu vaccine contains an inactivated virus from last year’s strain of influenza. Some believe that this means you might become sick.
“The virus in the vaccine has been killed,” Heather Foley, pharmacist at Windsor Regional Hospital, simply states. “You may get a low-grade fever or feel a bit unwell because we’ve injected something foreign into your body, but you won’t get influenza.”
According to the Ontario Pharmacists Association (OPA), the flu shot can take up to two weeks to activate, meaning the sooner you get vaccinated, the better. Influenza season spans October to February.
“One of the biggest misconceptions is that you don’t have time to get your flu shot,” said Heather Foley. “It actually only takes a few minutes, and you can walk in to the 85 pharmacies and clinics that administer them without an appointment.”
Another misconception about the flu shot is thinking you don’t need to get vaccinated if you’re a generally healthy person. Dan Persinnotti knows this one is false.
“Even though I may be healthy, I still get the flu shot. I do it for the young and elderly,” said Perissinotti. “I wouldn’t want to be responsible for spreading the virus to someone whose immune system isn’t as strong as mine.”
On the other hand, Nina Fasullo doesn’t get vaccinated.
“I don’t work with infants, the sick or the elderly, so I don’t think it’s necessary,” said Fasullo. “I’ve had a bad reaction before, so I decided it wasn’t worth it.”
The OPA encourages everyone to get vaccinated. Vaccinations at the Windsor Regional Pharmacy have been steady so far, according to Foley.
“The flu spreads through coughing or sneezing, If you’re sick, stay home!” said Foley. According to the CDC, influenza can spread from about 6 feet away.
There are 85 pharmacies and clinics in Windsor-Essex who administer the flu shot. The Windsor-Essex Health Unit maintains a full list of available locations at www.wechu.org.
A radio piece on this topic can be found HERE
A video piece can be found HERE
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