More and more New Brunswickers are turning to their local pharmacists to get their annual flu shots.
Since 2010, the number of publicly-funded flu shots administered by New Brunswick pharmacists and the number of pharmacists certified to administer injections has more than quadrupled.
“The public interest in pharmacists providing this service is extraordinary,” says Daniel Pike, President of the New Brunswick Pharmacists’ Association. “New Brunswickers want pharmacists to provide more health care services. This is an excellent example of how pharmacists can use their knowledge and skills to do just that.”
When pharmacists first began administering flu shots and other injections in 2010, 85 certified pharmacists administered 6,000 publicly-funded flu shots. In 2013-14, 330 pharmacists gave over 40,000 publicly-funded flu shots. Pharmacists immunized thousands more privately.
During the upcoming flu season, most New Brunswick pharmacies will offer flu shots, with approximately 480 pharmacists certified to give injections across the province.
“This service is getting more popular every year. Pharmacists are available on weekends, holidays and evenings, which is especially convenient for those who don’t have a family doctor, find it difficult to access their doctor or can’t make it to the Public Health offices during their hours,” Pike says.
In addition to flu shots, pharmacists also administer injections to protect against shingles and also provide injections for birth control, travel medicine and other valuable services.
“We expect the role of pharmacists will continue to evolve in the future as our province works towards making health care services more accessible,” says Pike.
It is estimated that approximately 3,500 Canadians die from the flu every year in Canada and an average of 12,200 will end up in the hospital. During the 2013-14 influenza season, there were more than 1,400 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza. There were 269 influenza-related hospitalizations for the same period with 53 of those patients admitted to intensive care units. Fifteen New Brunswickers died due to illness associated with influenza.
“Immunization is one of the most effective ways to protect not only yourself but also high-risk groups like seniors from illnesses like the flu,” says Pike. “Studies repeatedly show that influenza immunization reduces the number of hospitalizations, and health care visits and can prevent influenza-related deaths.”
Flu shots given by pharmacists are publicly funded for eligible New Brunswickers, including children aged 5 to 18, adults aged 65 and older, and individuals with identified chronic conditions aged 5 years and older. Anyone wanting a flu shot should call or visit their pharmacist or visit www.gnb.ca/flu.
The New Brunswick Pharmacists’ Association is the voice of pharmacists in the province and is committed to providing leadership for the profession and improving the health of New Brunswickers.