IH no longer doing 2020/21 and beyond Flu Shot Immunizations

[coffeeFreak]

This letter was posted in the Coronavirus Okanagan Updates & Community Support Facebook Page by one of our local doctors who runs the group. The announcement is quite surprising and concerning to many people, and from the discussion on FB, it sounds like this service will not be provided to senior's facilities and shut-ins. Talk about a huge downloading of responsibility to the community healthcare providers.

**And please, don't make this an antivax conversation.

[ckil]

What is the big deal? They are moving it to over the counter.

[coffeeFreak]

What is the big deal? They are moving it to over the counter.

No, they are expecting doctors and pharmacists to provide the service. Only certain healthcare providers are "allowed" to administer needles. And who will provide immunizations to seniors in facilities or who are housebound?

[GordonH]

Everyone I know who gets their flu shot has been getting via their pharmacist last number of years.

[I Think]

This is going to be a disaster, if you have to go to your doctor, or a pharmacy to get a flu shot, thousands of people will not get one.
In many cases the clinics save a 30 or 40 K round trip, to get the shot.
On a side note a new study shows that seniors who get flu shots reduce the incidence of Alzheimer disease significantly.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/27/health/f ... index.html

[typhoon44]

Ya, they need to implement a drive-up flu shot clinic.
That being said if our experience is anything like the southern hemisphere, the Covid-19 distancing and hand washing should massively reduce the incidence of flu here.

[oneh2obabe]

Being discussed in thread started yesterday https://forums.castanet.net/viewtopic.php?f=95&t=85910

[I Think]

Some localities which do not have doctors or pharmacies will necessitate a bus or car trip to get shots, it means that many will not get them.

[Bsuds]

Some localities which do not have doctors or pharmacies will necessitate a bus or car trip to get shots, it means that many will not get them.

Would those not be used to travelling to get these services already?

[alanjh595]

The government is willing to put how many $$$ into a SIS on wheels for the safety of the druggies, but they can't come up with $1 for a traveling flu shot van???

What is wrong with this picture?

[GordonH]

Some localities which do not have doctors or pharmacies will necessitate a bus or car trip to get shots, it means that many will not get them.

How did shut-ins get there flu shot last year.

[TylerM4]

The concern isn't around "Poor healthcare workers need to go to the pharmacy now".

The concern is that we'll see a significant drop in immunized healthcare workers. There was no excuse when all you had to do was mark the day on your calendar and wander over to the clinic before/after your shift or during a break. Many will choose to skip the shot vs the hassle of going to see their doctor/pharmacist.

[GordonH]

The concern isn't around "Poor healthcare workers need to go to the pharmacy now".

The concern is that we'll see a significant drop in immunized healthcare workers. There was no excuse when all you had to do was mark the day on your calendar and wander over to the clinic before/after your shift or during a break. Many will choose to skip the shot vs the hassle of going to see their doctor/pharmacist.

Isn’t there a pharmacy on first floor between main door & bistro/cafe next to courtyard.

[I Think]

The nearest pharmacy is 25 kilometers (50 round trip)
I could walk to the flu shot clinic.
Some of my neighbors will be skipping it.

Further:
Not only does getting a shot reduce your chances of coming down with a nasty infection, but getting vaccinated may also reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in the future, according to two separate abstracts presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Monday.

[GordonH]

The nearest pharmacy is 25 kilometers (50 round trip)
I could walk to the flu shot clinic.
Some of my neighbors will be skipping it.

Further:
Not only does getting a shot reduce your chances of coming down with a nasty infection, but getting vaccinated may also reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in the future, according to two separate abstracts presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Monday.

So how far did you have to go to get last years shot.