How to protect yourself and your family this flu season
Science, Health & Technology
Adrian Ziemczonek estimates that as a pharmacist who has provided vaccinations to people in the community since 2015, he has put more than 500 needles in his arms.
As a Clinical Pharmacist and Lecturer at UBC’s Pharmacists Clinic, he plays a key role in organizing UBC’s public immunization clinics while maintaining an active patient care practice at the Pharmacists Clinic.
With the flu season approaching, we asked Ziemczonek what people should expect and how to protect themselves in the coming months.
Adrian Ziemczonek
What can we expect this flu season?
It’s always difficult to predict what BC flu season will be like, but we usually get a first impression by looking at patterns in the southern hemisphere. Countries like Australia experience their flu season in the spring and summer before our traditional flu activity, which runs from October to March.
In Australia, influenza cases rose much earlier than usual, with many cases occurring right at the start of their season. Australia also experienced its worst flu season in more than five years in terms of the number of confirmed cases.
Based on this, it is possible that in BC we will see a higher number of flu cases and activity early in the season, possibly November and December, compared to previous years.
We haven’t seen many influenza cases here in BC over the past two years, largely due to the effectiveness of existing public health measures such as masks, physical distancing and travel restrictions. However, the influenza virus never went away and when the measures were eased we started seeing an increase in influenza cases again, like in Australia.
Is there anything different about this year’s flu vaccine?
The vaccine stays mostly the same from year to year and contains three or four different strains that are chosen based on what’s making people sick ahead of flu season. This year the flu vaccine contains two new strains that were not in the vaccine last year.
Another change is that BC will also offer an improved vaccine to adults 65 and older to offer better protection, as older adults are at greater risk of complications from the flu.
Where can you get vaccinated?
Starting October 11, flu shots will be available primarily through community pharmacies, public health clinics, and doctor’s offices. This year, community pharmacies will play an even bigger role in delivering vaccines. In the fall, they will provide COVID vaccinations along with the flu vaccine.
The easiest way to book your influenza vaccine is through the province’s Get Vaccinated system. This is the same system used to book COVID vaccines during the pandemic.
Who should get the flu vaccine?
In BC, anyone six months or older is entitled to a free, publicly funded flu shot. Everyone should be vaccinated against the flu. Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease and even healthy adults are at risk of contracting it and becoming ill. Influenza spreads quickly, and vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others around you.
As we speak, COVID-19 boosters are being rolled out. Should people get both vaccines at the same time?
It is perfectly safe to receive both COVID and influenza vaccines at the same time or anytime after other vaccines. Our immune systems come into contact with thousands of foreign bodies and pathogens every day, far more than are contained in these two vaccines. There is no danger of overtaxing our immune system.
As with any drug, vaccinations can cause side effects that are mostly mild and self-limiting. Studies to date have shown that co-administration of COVID-19 vaccines with seasonal influenza vaccinations resulted in either similar or minor increases in expected side effects with no overall safety concerns. With both influenza and COVID-19 potentially circulating together this fall, receiving both vaccines will ensure you have the best protection.
usefull links
To learn more about the flu vaccine or to sign up for the flu shot, please visit: