Flu, COVID-19 vaccine rollout in B.C. to begin next week

We have a date for the province’s annual COVID-19 and flu shot campaign.

Chris Chiew is vice-president of pharmacy and health-care innovation at London Drugs. He tells 1130 NewsRadio the campaign in B.C. will begin Tuesday, Oct. 14.

“The government, from my understanding, is going to start sending out invites for people to start registering, and hopefully you’ll start seeing that text message or email come out around the end of this week or over the weekend,” said Chiew.

If you receive a government notification about booking your shots this weekend, Chiew says click on the link in your invite.

He recommends that those planning to walk in wait.

“Appointments would be preferred, so you don’t get disappointed. You can try to walk in as well, but our priority will be those who actually have an appointment… Usually, the first week when it’s launched, it is the busiest time, so it’s harder to do walk-ins. By the second week, that’s when we can see the walk-ins are easier for us to handle. And for sure by the third week, no problems whatsoever.”

Chiew explains that it takes a couple of weeks for the flu shot to take effect and reminds you that a nasal version is also available — but only in limited quantities.

“Even if you do wait by that third week, you will have it fully in effect before the peak of the flu season, which usually happens in November.”

He says there’s a reason the campaign doesn’t start before people begin gathering for the Thanksgiving long weekend.

“We just want to make sure the flu vaccines get to our pharmacies; our people are ready too. The government just received its stock and is rolling it out to the various wholesalers to redistribute into our stores. So, it’s not a fact of not wanting to get coverage during the long weekend, but it’s availability from the manufacturer… and then have a really smooth roll-out so we don’t get that huge, huge influx of people walking in and appointments.”

Chiew says all the rules you learned during the height of the pandemic still stand, like staying home if you’re sick, wearing a mask if needed, taking lots of rest, drinking more fluids, and washing your hands consistently.

“I know there are many [COVID-19] cases still happening in North America, all over the world as well too. It’s still severe, and it can still affect you and can still cause a lot of sick days happening out there.”

Statistics from the federal government show COVID-19 levels in B.C. are currently “moderate,” but cases are trending upward in the country.

You can still pick up a free COVID-19 test at your local pharmacy.

Chiew says if you have the flu, you’ll feel malaise and a fever — COVID-19, however, starts with a runny nose, sore throat and lots of coughing.

The flu season typically finishes by the end of February.

1130 NewsRadio Vancouver reached out to the Ministry of Health for information about the vaccine rollout, but never received a response.