Three weeks into the New Brunswick flu shot campaign and there are no signs of vaccine fatigue.
Free flu shots through pharmacies, community health centres or other primary-care providers became available on Oct. 12.
“There’s been…just short of 60,00 vaccinations that have taken place in pharmacy for all flu shots,” said Jake Reid, the Executive Director of the New Brunswick Pharmacists’ Association.
Ahead of the rollout, members of the medical industry voiced concerns over how the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine would affect the flu shot campaign.
The early stages of the campaign have cooled those concerns largely due to “driving demand” from those age 65 and older for the enhanced high-dose influenza vaccine.
Reid believes the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the public perception of vaccines.
“I think there’s been obviously such a community social discussion about vaccines and their importance to our health,” Reid said.
A person eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine or booster can receive their flu shot during the same trip to the pharmacy.
“They’re coming in and looking for their flu vaccine and requesting either their first or second or even in some cases because third doses have started [to become available], their looking for those vaccines at the same time,” said Reid, adding pharmacists will mention the option to receive both shots to customers.
Reid stresses patience during the busy season as some locations have temporarily run out of certain flu vaccines. He encourages anyone with questions about the shot to contact their local pharmacy.
