People in Lloydminster will be able to get their shots for flu season.
Most pharmacies in Lloydminster will be acquiring shots for Oct.22. No clinics will be available on the Alberta side of Lloydminster. Although in Saskatchewan, nurses will be giving Flu shots on specific dates throughout the next couple of months. Clinics will be held at the Prairie North Plaza, the Legacy Centre and Lakeland college on a walk-in basis.
Anyone over the age of 5 years-old is able to get vaccinated. Pharmacist at Sprucewood Pharmacy Scott Malek believes its important residents get their shots in order to decrease chances of influenza.
“In addition to preventing the flu, if you do get the flu it might reduce the severity of it or allow you to fight the flu off easier. Complications of the flu range from simple illness all the way to dying.”
In a press release, Alberta Health Services says during the 2017-18 flu season there were just over 9,000 cases of the flu, 92 of those caused death. More people are getting their shots as last year the immunization rate was at 29 per cent, up from 27 per cent the previous year. The National Advisory Committee on Immunizations encourages everyone to get their flu shots, especially those considered high risk. High-risk cases of the flu include those who are pregnant, anyone over the age of 65 or those with respiratory issues. Malek says those around you may be affected even if you’re not prone to the flu symptoms.
“If you are my age and don’t fall into those categories, by us getting the flu vaccine we potentially prevent transmission to somebody who would be high risk if they do get it.”
People are asked to have a valid Alberta or Saskatchewan health card on you at the time of your vaccination.