Q: My husband and I are both in our 70s. Last fall we received a flu vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine, and pneumonia vaccine at our local pharmacy. I’ve heard there is a fourth vaccine available this year. What does this vaccine protect against?
Beginning in mid-October, community pharmacies in New Brunswick will once again be offering publicly funded vaccines to protect against respiratory viruses. These viruses can pose serious health risks, especially to seniors, young children, and people with weakened immune systems or chronic health conditions.
New this year is the expanded availability of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine, Abrysvo, which will be publicly funded for adults 75 years and older. Only one dose of the vaccine is needed, and protection lasts for at least two years. RSV is a common cause of lower respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. While most people recover from an infection quickly, adults over 60 years- especially those with weakened immune systems or chronic illnesses like COPD or heart disease- are at higher risk of severe illness and hospitalization.
If you and your husband do not yet meet the age requirement for the publicly funded dose but are still interested in getting vaccinated, RSV vaccines can be prescribed for adults over 60, but they are not yet covered by many private insurance plans. And just so no one is caught off guard at the pharmacy counter, it’s worth noting that RSV vaccines cost nearly $300 if not publicly funded or covered by insurance.
The pneumonia vaccine, Prevnar 20, will continue to be offered to adults 65 years and older who have not already received a publicly funded pneumococcal vaccine since turning 65. A single dose of Prevnar 20 usually provides life-long protection for most healthy adults. If anyone is unsure if they have received a pneumococcal vaccine in the past, you can check by logging into your MyHealthNB account or ask your pharmacist to review your record for you.
For influenza (flu) vaccination, adults 65 years and older can receive Fluad, a trivalent vaccine that contains an adjuvant, an ingredient that helps create a stronger immune response to vaccination. As always, we recommend booking your seasonal vaccine appointment as early as possible. These vaccines offer protection against the most common strains of influenza circulating globally.
For children and teens aged 2 to 17 years with needle phobia, FluMist- a nasal spray option- will once again be available if they are unable to receive the vaccine by injection.
Updated COVID-19 vaccines will also be offered. Both Moderna’s Spikevax and Pfizer’s Comirnaty vaccines (based on availability) will protect against the LP.8.1 variant, which has not been included in previous vaccines. Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations is especially important for adults 65 years and older who face a higher-than-average risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 infections. While test kits are no longer provided free of charge to the public, they can be purchased at most community pharmacies.
Although seniors and vulnerable individuals are at the greatest risk from respiratory viruses, vaccination is important for everyone. Protecting yourself helps to reduce your own chance of severe illness while also protecting those around you.
Vaccines for influenza, COVID-19, pneumonia, and RSV can be given at the same time or separately, with no required waiting period between doses. Receiving multiple vaccines during the same visit has several benefits: fewer appointments, earlier protection against multiple illnesses, and a reduced risk of missing out on important vaccinations later.
Erin Thompson (BSc, BScPharm) is a graduate of Dalhousie University and a community pharmacist practicing at Shoppers Drug Mart in Quispamsis N.B. Her opinions expressed in this column are published for educational and informational purposes only, and are not intended as a diagnosis, treatment or as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.