For our family, getting the flu is a serious issue, as it usually means respiratory complications and ending up at the hospital. My husband and boys all suffer from viral induced asthma, so prevention is key in our household.

We practice lots of handwashing, try to eat healthy foods and avoid going to indoor play spaces and crowded places during the winter as well. We also get the flu vaccine as soon as it is available each year. Getting the flu vaccine at our local Shoppers Drug Mart is fast, virtually painless and FREE for us.

We usually go get the flu shot together and the boys love that they get a lollipop after they get their vaccine.

Pharmacist Flu Q&A {Gift Basket Giveaway - $150 Value}

When it comes to talking about the cold/flu and flu vaccines there are a lot of misconceptions. Below you will find a list of some of the most common misconceptions associated with the flu vaccine according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Healthy people don’t need to get vaccinated.

FALSE. When you get the flu shot, you’re not just protecting yourself but also those you love. Even if you’re healthy, it’s possible to spread the virus to others who may more susceptible to flu, or high-risk groups like children, the elderly or pregnant women.

The flu vaccine gives you the flu.

FALSE. Flu vaccinations delivered via a needle are either made with an ‘inactivated’ flu virus that’s not infectious, or with no flu virus at all.

You don’t need to get the flu vaccine every year. 

FALSE. In order to best protect yourself from the flu you need to be vaccinated annually. Getting a vaccine doesn’t need to be a complicated, time-consuming process.  Canadians can drop in to their local Shoppers Drug Mart or select grocery stores at any time of day, without an appointment. Please note that they can’t vaccinate children younger than 5 years old so for younger children you must go to a vaccination clinic or to your Family Doctor.

You should wait until the height of flu season to get vaccinated so you’re protected for longer.

FALSE. While it’s never too late to get vaccinated, it’s best to receive your flu shot soon after it’s available, likely October. The antibodies delivered via the flu vaccine that protect you against infection take up to two weeks to take effect, and since the flu peaks between December – February it’s important to get vaccinated weeks before the holiday party season starts.

Pregnant women need to get consent from their doctor prior to receiving the flu vaccine.

FALSE. There is no recommendation for pregnant women to seek consent from their doctor prior to vaccination. However, there are some people who should seek their doctors’ advice prior to being vaccinated, including those who have a moderate – to – severe illness and patients with a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

We got our vaccines this year at our local Shoppers Drug Mart and it took us only 10-15 minutes, with no appointment required. We’ve been getting the flu vaccine for years there as well and we schedule to do it in October, as soon as the flu vaccine is available.

Have you gotten your flu vaccine this year?

 

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Disclosure: This is a partnered post with Shoppers Drug Mart as part of the #ShoppersFlu campaign. However, all opinions and views on this post are 100% my own.