3 Kinds of Flu Shots?! Which One is for Me?
by Mikaela Klie, PharmD, Pharmacist, and Shelly Vanderzee, (PharmD cand), University of Waterloo, Class of 2023
FLU SHOT SEASON IS OFFICIALLY HERE!
To protect you and your loved ones from influenza and potential complications – it is important to get your annual flu shot. Influenza poses a high risk to our society, particularly in the elderly, young children, and individuals with underlying medical conditions.
Despite the low number of influenza cases across Canada last year, experts expect that the flu season will be more significant this year due to restrictions easing and a lack of immunity from low exposure to the influenza virus last year.
Here at Prime Care Pharmacy, we have three different flu shots available to the public.
1. Standard dose quadrivalent inactivated flu vaccine
- Available for individuals 6 months and up*
- Protects against FOUR different strains of influenza – two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses
- Contains 15 micrograms of inactivated influenza antigen
*Pharmacists are currently only able to vaccinate individuals 2 years and up. For individuals ages 6 months – 2 years of age, please contact your family doctor for vaccine administration.
2. High dose quadrivalent inactivated flu vaccine
- Available for individuals 65 years and up
- Protects against FOUR different strains of influenze – two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses
- Contains four times the amount of antigen which allows the body to mount a better immune system – This is important as older individuals may not respond to influenza vaccines as well as younger individuals.
3. Adjuvanted trivalent inactivated vaccine
- Available for individuals 65 years and up
- Protects against THREE different strains of influenze – two influenza A viruses and one influenza B viruses
- Contains an adjuvant, a substance which is added to the vaccine to help develop a stronger immune response to the vaccine
Due to the high risk of influenza and potential complications which can result – it is important to not delay the flu shot as all vaccines are safe and effective. For individuals aged 65 and up, the recommendation is to prioritize the high dose quadrivalent vaccine, followed by the adjuvanted trivalent vaccine and if neither is available – the standard dose quadrivalent vaccine. It is better to be vaccinated and protected than to not be vaccinated at all!
Please feel free to sign up on our wait list which can be accessed from our home page. If you have any further questions, call the pharmacy to speak with one of our friendly pharmacists.
