An unexpected illness is an inconvenience at best and a potentially life-threatening event at worst but you don’t have to go into cold and flu season unprepared.
Staying up to date on your vaccines is one of the best ways to keep yourself and your family healthy all year long.
“It’s that time of year again and chances are you’ve already received an email or text message from the Provincial government reminding you to keep your vaccinations up to date,” says Michelle Gray of Gray’s Compounding Pharmacy. “While seasonal vaccines are important, they’re not the only ones that might be beneficial when it comes to keeping you and your loved ones healthy.”
Gray suggests checking in with your pharmacist about which other vaccinations might be worth considering this cold and flu season, especially if you’re planning to travel outside of Canada.
“Depending on where you’re travelling over the next few months, you might be required to receive additional vaccines specifically for that area,” Gray says. “It’s important to figure out what travel-related vaccines you need as soon as possible because in some cases you might need a series of vaccines that need to be spaced out over multiple weeks, or need to be in your system for a set amount of time prior to departing.”
Along with checking with your pharmacist and doctor about any necessary travel vaccinations, or checking online here, Gray suggests asking about the following vaccines as well:
- New RSV vaccine (Arexvy), for adults 60+
- Standard flu/COVID-19, shots or boosters
- Shingles vaccine (Shingrix), recommended for adults 50+
- Updated pneumonia vaccine (Prevnar 20), for adults 18+
- HPV vaccine (Human Papillomavirus), publicly funded for school aged kids. Recommended for all adults in prevention of many cancers.
“If you’re unsure which vaccines you’re eligible for or which might be beneficial to your health or the health of a loved one, it’s always best to start with your doctor or your local health unit,” Gray says. Scheduling an appointment with your pharmacist, we can access your vaccination history in BC to ensure that any gaps are addressed.
Find Gray’s Compounding Pharmacy at 417B 304th St. on Highway 95 in Kimberley, open Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Get in touch at 250-427-0038 or at facebook.com/grayspharmacy.