Individuals Needing Transportation Support
- We are encouraging a community approach to transport. Family and friends are encouraged to support Albertans who need transportation to receive the vaccine, AHS is also working with several agencies across the province to ensure all Albertans are able to get the vaccine safely through assistance with transportation, or other arrangements when they are unable to leave their home.
- Once you book an appointment, and have the time and location of their appointment, call 211 to get connected to available transportation supports.
I Keep Hearing About ‘waning Immunity’ Does That Mean I Need A Booster
The term “waning immunity” usually refers to a decrease in antibodies over time. After any vaccination, immunologists and virologists say, it’s normal for antibody levels to go down.
But the immune system is much more than antibodies. B cells and T cells are also hard at work. B cells produce antibodies and if they’re exposed to the virus again, they “remember” and can make more. T cells target and get rid of infected cells.
A study published in the journal Science found “robust cellular immune memory” from B cells for at least six months after mRNA vaccination against all circulating strains of the virus even the highly contagious delta variant.
Many experts agree that having waning antibodies does not automatically translate into a need for a booster shot.
Why Is Influenza Vaccination Recommended In Pregnancy
Pregnant women are at greater risk of morbidity and mortality from influenza disease than non-pregnant women. They are more than twice as likely to be hospitalised with influenza disease as other people with influenza. Babies less than 6 months of age are at greatest risk of disease and death from influenza. Vaccinating pregnant women will also provide protection to babies for the first few months of life until they can be immunised against influenza from 6 months of age.
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Information For Parents Caregivers Or Legal Guardians
Under the New Brunswick Medical Consent of Minors Act, children can give consent as a mature minor to receive health care, like getting a vaccine. Under certain conditions they do not require parental consent however, it is preferred that parents/legal guardians consent to immunizations for minors younger than 16.
For more information on Mature Minor consent for COVID-19 vaccination: PDF
Path To Improved Health
Pneumococcal vaccines can protect you against getting pneumonia, which is contagious and spreads from close, person-to-person contact. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs and can lead to many symptoms, including:
- cough
- chest pains
- bringing up mucus when you cough
For seniors, pneumonia can be very serious and life-threatening. This is especially true if you have a chronic condition, such as diabetes or COPD. Pneumonia can also develop after youve had a case of the flu or a respiratory virus such as COVID-19. It is extremely important to stay current on flu shots each year in addition to your pneumococcal vaccines.
While PPSV23 and PCV13 do not protect against all types of pneumonia, they can make it less likely that you will experience severe and possibly life-threatening complications from the illness.
The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that seniors who have not had either pneumococcal vaccine should get a dose of PCV13 first, and then a dose of PPSV23 6-12 months later. The vaccines cannot be given at the same time. If you have recently had a dose of PPSV23, your doctor will wait at least one year to give you PCV13.
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Here Are The Key Reasons To Get A Flu Shot Now
Fran Kritz
With all the talk about COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, it’s easy to forget that another dangerous respiratory virus is poised to strike the flu.
Experts worry that we could be heading into a big flu season, especially if enough Americans do not get their annual flu shot, which is now widely available.
“We are worried the incredibly low influenza rates that we saw last seasoncould create a rebound influenza epidemic this year,” says Dr. Mark Roberts, director of the Public Health Dynamics Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh.
Most years as many as 12,000 to 52,000 people die from the flu in the U.S. But the unusually mild flu season last year means that fewer people have immunity to strains likely to be circulating this winter. That could lead to anywhere from 100,000 to 400,000 additional hospitalizations for influenza, according to two recent computer modeling studies done by Roberts and his colleagues.
Can Seniors Get A Covid
COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots may cause side effects similar to senior flu shots. It is still unknown whether coadministration of these vaccines leads to more reactivity to ingredients, sensitivity, or side effects, according to the CDC.
If youve received or are planning to receive a COVID-19 vaccine or booster along with a senior flu shot, heres what you need to know:
- After at least six months of receiving the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, you are eligible for a booster shot.
- If you received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines, you are currently not eligible for a booster shot.
- The Pfizer-BioNTech booster shot has been authorized for people 65 and older and for high-risk individuals.
- Getting the senior flu shot will not offer protection against COVID-19 and vice versa.
- COVID-19 vaccines may be administered with flu vaccines, although it is still unknown whether vaccine side effects increase with coadministration, according to the CDC.
You should first consult your loved ones doctor to figure out what could work best for them.
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What Are The Flu Shot Guidelines
The flu vaccine works by presenting the immune system with a portion of the virus, allowing the body to develop an immune response so that when it encounters the real thing, it’s much better prepared to fight it off.
According to the CDC, it is recommended that everyone over the age of six months gets vaccinated against the flu every year, with very rare exception .
While getting the vaccine does not guarantee that you won’t suffer the misery that is the flu, it may reduce the risk of infection by 40% to 60%, and help prevent severe illness.
When Should You Get A Flu Shot
Exactly when the flu season starts and ends is unpredictable, so health officials recommend that people get their flu shot in early fall, preferably by the end of October, the CDC says. The same recommendation applies this year as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Flu activity typically peaks in January or February.
“We’d like to get as many people protected against influenza before influenza becomes active in communities across the country,” Schaffner said.
Most flu vaccines are given before Thanksgiving, Schaffner said, but people can still get their shot throughout the winter months. Each season’s flu shot expires in June of that year, but Schaffner said that he would consider it “too late” to get a flu vaccine after March, unless a person is traveling to the Southern Hemisphere .
After vaccination, it takes a person about two weeks to build up immunity against the flu.
People can visit the CDC’s VaccineFinder.org to find flu shot locations.
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Is It Safe To Receive The Influenza Vaccine During Pregnancy
It is safe and recommended to receive the influenza vaccine during pregnancy. Immunisation not only provides protection for the mother against disease, but maternal antibodies are also transmitted to the baby, which will provide protection against disease for the first few months of life. Influenza immunisation is funded on the National Immunisation Program for all pregnant women.
Is It Safe To Receive The Influenza Vaccine Whilst Breastfeeding
Annual influenza immunisation is safe and recommended for breastfeeding mothers. Babies less than 6 months of age are at greatest risk from disease yet cannot receive influenza vaccines until they are 6 months of age. Maternal immunisation will provide protection for mothers as well as providing some passive protection for babies through the secretion of antibodies until they are old enough to receive their own influenza vaccine.
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Side Effects And Risks
It is much safer to get the flu vaccine than to get the flu. Flu vaccines are safe and well-tolerated. Side effects are usually mild and last a few days. Common side effects include pain, redness and swelling at the injection site headache, fever, muscle aches, joint pain or feeling tired. Side effects in children include irritability, drowsiness or loss of appetite.
In rare cases, serious allergic reactions can occur. Seek medical attention if you have trouble breathing, rash or swelling of the face and throat. Allergic reactions can be treated and are usually temporary. The risk of Oculo-Respiratory Syndrome or Guillain-Barré Syndrome after flu vaccination is very low, about one case in a million flu shots.
Possible Side Effects Of The Flu Vaccine
The influenza vaccine can cause side effects. In children under 5 years, these reactions may be more obvious.
Common side effects of influenza vaccine include:
- drowsiness or tiredness
- localised pain, redness and swelling at the injection site
- occasionally, an injection-site lump that may last many weeks but needs no treatment
- low-grade temperature .
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Where Can Seniors Get A Flu Shot
Several locations offer senior flu shots, including doctors offices, local health departments, and pharmacies.
You may be worried about taking your senior relative to get a flu shot this year if COVID-19 is still spreading in your community. However, the CDC says its especially important for seniors and others who are at increased risk for flu complications to get vaccinated.
There are certain steps your loved one can take to stay safe when going to get the flu shot:
- Wear a mask to the vaccine appointment.
- If your loved one has a fever, hold off on vaccinating them until theyre feeling better.
- Wash hands frequently using soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
View CDC guidelines for more information on protecting yourself and senior relatives from the seasonal flu as well as COVID-19.
Who Should Get Vaccinated
Every New Brunswicker who can get vaccinated should get vaccinated.
Vaccines are safe and effective. By saying âyesâ to vaccination, you are helping to protect yourself, your family and your community against COVID-19.
For some people, the decision to get vaccinated will require consideration of risks versus benefits. If you have questions about the vaccine or your health conditions, contact your primary healthcare provider.
Currently, the vaccines approved in Canada are not approved for those under the age of 5.
COVID-19 vaccine information for physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other health care providers.
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Does A Flu Vaccine Increase Your Risk Of Getting Covid
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There is no evidence that getting a flu vaccine increases your risk of getting sick from a coronavirus, like the one that causes COVID-19.
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You may have heard about a study published in January 2020 that reported an association between flu vaccination and risk of four commonly circulating seasonal coronaviruses, but not the one that causes COVID-19. This report was later found to be incorrect.
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The results from that initial study led researchers in Canada to look at their data to see if they could find similar results in their population. The results from Canadas study showed that flu vaccination did not increase risk for these seasonal coronaviruses. The Canadian findings highlighted the protective benefits of flu vaccination.
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The Canadian researchers also identified a flaw in the methods of the first study, noting that it violated the part of study design that compares vaccination rates among patients with and without flu . This flaw led to the incorrect association between flu vaccination and seasonal coronavirus risk. When these researchers reexamined data from the first study using correct methods, they found that flu vaccination did not increase risk for infection with other respiratory viruses, including seasonal coronaviruses.
Vaccinations For Homebound Individuals
Extra-Mural/Ambulance New Brunswick are providing vaccinations to homebound individuals who are unable to leave their home to go to a pharmacy or regional health authority vaccination clinic. Existing clients of the Extra-Mural Program will be assessed to determine if they qualify for this service.
Homebound individuals who are not Extra-Mural clients may also be referred for a home vaccination by their primary care provider.
If you are unable to book a clinic online for a Horizon or Vitalité clinic, call1-833-437-1424.
A limited amount of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine is available to eligible New Brunswickers over 18 years of age through a special appointment only. To schedule an appointment for this vaccine, contact Tele-Services at 1-833-437-1424 or email . Only one dose of the Janssen vaccine is required to be considered fully immunized.
If you are unable to book a clinic online for a Horizon or Vitalité clinic, call1-833-437-1424.
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How To Reschedule / Cancel Your Appointment
Online Tool
- Go to . You will need your confirmation code from your appointment confirmation email or text.
Using Your Confirmation Email / Text
- Towards the bottom of your appointment confirmation email / text, click on the link to cancel/reschedule your appointment.
- If you cancel, it may take up to 24 hours for you to receive your cancellation confirmation.
Health Link
Vaccine Information For Youth Aged 5 To 17
Getting vaccinated is easy. Everyone aged five or older is eligible to get vaccinated.
If you are aged 16 or older, you can book an appointment yourself, with your friends or with your family.
Parents/Guardians have an important role in discussing treatments which affect a minorâs health and well-being. It is highly recommended that parents/legal guardians discuss COVID-19 disease and immunization with their children in a loving and caring environment.
If you are aged between 12 to 15 and your consent is filled by your parent or legal guardian, you can make plans with friends or your family to get appointments at the same time.
If you want to get vaccinated with a group of friends or your family, you must each have an appointment. To book your appointment, you first need to register here or can contact a local pharmacy for an appointment.
The Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty and Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccines are approved by Health Canada for use in children aged 12 to 17. The pediatric Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine is approved by Health Canada for use in children aged five to 11. If you would like more information on these vaccines, .
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Should I Get A Second Flu Shot This Year
It’s only natural to wonder if there’s anything else you can do so you don’t get sick.
There’s only so much protection you can get from eating the right foods, logging eight hours of sleep, and washing your hands more times than you can count getting the flu vaccine gives you your best chance at avoiding getting sick. And as long as the flu virus is circulatingwhich it isits not too late to get your shot.
Yet even if you already had your flu shot back in the fall when experts recommend getting vaccinated, you might find yourself wondering: Should I get a second flu shot? Youre not totally off base with your questionif you got yours several months ago, it’s reasonable to think its effectiveness has worn off.
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Assuming youre older than 8 years old, it turns out you dont need a second flu shot this flu season. A second dose is recommended only for kids ages 6 months through 8 years who have never been vaccinated before or only had one shot in the past, explains Elizabeth Barnett, MD, professor of pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine.
Because of the immaturity of immune system, they do not respond well to a single dose of flu vaccine, she says. Though a single dose will not result in a good immune response, it primes the immune system to respond to a second dose, which then results in a good immune response.
Why Are Adjuvanted Formulations Of Influenza Vaccine The Preferred Vaccine For Those 65 Years
A gradual decline of the immune system occurs as people age , impacting how the immune system responds to immunisation. For adults aged 65 years the adjuvanted QIV, Fluad® Quad is preferentially recommended over standard QIVs as the antibody response is increased in comparison to non-adjuvanted QIV influenza vaccines.
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Some People Are Getting A Second Booster Shotshould You
Youre vaccinated. And youre boosted. But could it already be time to start thinking about your next dose of the COVID-19 vaccine? According to health officials, a second booster shot may not be far off.
Amid the omicron-variant-fueled surge of COVID-19 cases, more people are rushing to get booster shots of the vaccinewhich is great news, since the booster may make you 13 times less likely to test positive for the coronavirus, according to one study. Additional early research is also showing how critical the booster is to staying protected. Another study from South Africa examining 78,000 omicron cases found that two shots of an mRNA vaccine, like Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech, were effective in preventing serious cases of COVID-19the vaccine cut the risk of hospitalization by 70%. But without the booster, the vaccine was only 30% effective at preventing milder infections, per NPR. A third shot increases protection dramatically.
Vaccines are the strongest tool we have to fight the pandemic, but research shows their effectiveness wanes over time, which is why the booster exists. Those who got an mRNA vaccine are eligible for a third shot six months after their last dose and those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are eligible two months after their shot, per current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
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