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Pharmacists can give flu shots

With the transition to the colder weather, many people are more susceptible to getting a cold or the flu. Cates Pharmacy on Bowen Island is gearing up to improve islanders' odds of spending a flu-free fall and winter.

With the transition to the colder weather, many people are more susceptible to getting a cold or the flu. Cates Pharmacy on Bowen Island is gearing up to improve islanders' odds of spending a flu-free fall and winter.

Pharmacist Bud Massender says, "This is the first year that we can give the shots here at the pharmacy. Our first session is going to be on Monday, Oct. 17."

Massender and Shahzad Mirsaeidi are both qualified to administer the vaccine and have planned six days over the next couple of weeks when people can come to get immunized. They're asking people to make appointments for Mondays, Tuesdays or Fridays.

There is a possibility of extending the dates. Massender says, "We are hoping to cover the demand together with the family physicians. At the pharmacy, we have one limitation. We are not authorized to administer shots to children under six."

The influenza immunization is offered free of charge to people 65 years and older, children and adults with chronic health conditions as well as their caregivers and household contacts. Children from six months to 18 years and caregivers of infants under 23 months of age also qualify. For a complete list of who is eligible, please see www.vch.ca/your_health/immunization_&_vaccination/flu_shots.

Even if you have to pay, getting the shot is a good investment. "It helps to prevent the flu," Massender says. "And if you are protected against the flu then you're less likely to get secondary infections."

Massender thinks that making the flu shot available to a wide range of people is a sensible thing to do as "it improves the general health of the population and helps to keep health costs down."

Massender also opts to get the influenza immunization himself every year. He says, "It's important. Just because you're healthy doesn't mean that you shouldn't get the vaccine."

This year's flu shot will protect against three strains of influenza viruses including H1N1.