Early flu shot best defence against ‘twindemic,’ local pharmacist says

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/09/2020 (2184 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitobans are being encouraged to get their flu shots as early as possible to avoid what could become a “twindemic.”

“As we head into fall there’s a possibility, obviously, of a second wave of COVID-19 coming (and) if we have a very severe flu season at the same time, that’s what experts are calling a ‘twindemic,'” said Shannon Wilson, pharmacist at Shoppers Drug Mart at Roblin and Dale boulevards in Charleswood.

“Our worry would be that it would be a perfect storm with the fall and with hospitals being overwhelmed with flu season as well as COVID-19 that can put the rest of the community at risk.”

The flu is responsible for more than 12,000 hospitalizations and 3,500 deaths each year in Canada.

“The best and easiest way to protect yourself this year is getting your flu shot,” Wilson said.

Flu shots are available at pharmacies and from family doctors. Shoppers Drug Mart locations plan to hold flu clinics for seniors and high-risk patients to encourage early vaccination, Wilson said.

The COVID-19 pandemic and looming influenza season combination has led many Canadians to reconsider flu protection this year.

An estimated 40 per cent of the population across the country gets a flu shot every year, but research from a Shoppers Drug Mart poll that surveyed 1,152 Canadians from Aug. 5-14 found 57 per cent plan to roll up their sleeve this time around. The survey was conducted with online methodology and has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.

“The one part we’re finding more concerning is that the 40 per cent of people who don’t plan on getting their flu shot see it as, ‘I didn’t get COVID, so I don’t need to worry about the flu, either,'” Wilson said.

“That’s what we feel could lead to that ‘twindemic,’ as well, so getting your flu shot as early as possible is… the best bet that we have to avoid that.”

The province is preparing for more vaccinations this year, ordering enough vaccine to immunize 40 per cent of the population, an increase of 20 per cent over last year’s order.

More than 380,000 doses were administered last year, vaccinating just over a quarter of the population.

“Manitobans need to plan for a challenging flu season as COVID-19, influenza and colds will be occurring at the same time this fall,” chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin said Thursday.

“Getting the flu vaccine or the high-dose influenza vaccine is an important step that will help keep you and those around you healthy this season. Staying home when you are sick, practising good hand hygiene and covering your cough also helps reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others.”

Recognizing the difference between COVID-19 and the flu can be difficult, Wilson said. The Shoppers Drug Mart poll found only 39 per cent of Canadians feel confident about that determination.

Symptoms of COVID-19, said Wilson, normally involve a dry cough, fever, fatigue and shortness of breath, as well as a list of symptoms like nasal congestion and losing the ability to taste and smell.

The flu presents similarly, she added, with fatigue, fever and a dry cough, but it doesn’t normally include the same shortness of breath.

The province said flu shots would be available beginning in mid-to-late October.

 

 

julia-simone.rutgers@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jsrutgers