4 Celebrating Allied Health Professionals
SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS • SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2025
It’s Time to ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVE FLU, COVID VACCINES HELP BUILD
IMMUNE SYSTEM, REDUCE ILLNESS
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Exchange District Pharmacy director Ryan Chan says vaccinations help to reduce hospitalizations, illness and how long someone may be off work. Photo by Darcy Finley
By Jennifer McFee W hen you roll up your sleeve for a flu or COVID vac - cine this fall, you will be giving yourself a better shot at enjoying a healthy season. Vaccines help the body’s immune system to rec- ognize and fight bacteria and viruses that can cause disease. Ryan Chan, pharmacy director at Exchange District Pharma- cy, outlined some of the benefits of getting vaccinated against flu or COVID. “It’s always a good idea to get the vaccine. In health care, it’s all about prevention — it’s easier to prevent something from hap- pening than to treat it. Vaccinations are one of those prevention methods. They can reduce hospitalization, reduce illness and re- duce how long you’re going to be off work,” Chan says. “The vaccines build and prime your immune system so when you do see the virus, you’re better prepared. They reduce the spread and reduce the chances of other people getting it as well.” For those who don’t get vaccinated, they run a higher risk of contracting COVID or the flu. “Everyone’s risk factor is very different. It comes down to ex- posure risk and personal health risk. Exposure risk depends on how much of the virus is currently out there and whether you’re working in a place like a hospital where you’ll see a lot of people with the virus. There might also be a higher exposure risk in very crowded places,” Chan says. “The second kind of risk relates to your own personal health. Older adults typically face the greatest risk. As you get older, your body is just not the same as when you’re 20 years old, so the risk of getting more ill or more severe sickness are higher when you’re older. Individuals with immunocompromised con- ditions, (a) weak immune system, chronic illnesses, asthma conditions and COPD conditions might also be at higher risk.” Manitobans aged six months and older are eligible for the flu and COVID vaccines free of charge. Pharmacists can vac - cinate children aged two years and older. Adults aged 65 and
older are eligible for a higher dose. “Most health-care professionals will say it’s always recom- mended to get the shot. Everyone is eligible for the flu and COVID vaccines,” Chan says. “You can usually get them at any physi- cian’s office or pharmacy.” To find out about the availability of walk-in appointments, check out the vaccine provider map at www.manitoba.ca/vaccine. More information about where to get the vaccine is available online at www.gov.mb.ca/health/flu/. Chan also recommends calling the pharmacy directly to con- firm. At Exchange District Pharmacy, people can book vaccina - tion appointments directly through their website. “When they come in, we ask all the appropriate questions. We want to make sure you’re not allergic to it and that there’s no drug interaction,” he says. “We’ll ask about any medical conditions during the pre-assessment and provide you with all the important information — so all you’ve got to do is show up.” When you show up for your vaccination, you’ll need to bring your Manitoba Health card and you should wear a short-sleeved shirt. If you’re experiencing flu-like symptoms, it’s best to reschedule. While you may experience some mild side effects after getting the vaccines, they should be short-lived. “The vaccine makes your immune system work. Any time your immune system is working, it takes energy so it might cause a fever and you might get a little dehydration leading to headaches and dizziness. But most of the time, you won’t feel anything,” Chan says. “There also might be pain or soreness at the site of the needle, but that should all subside in a couple days.” For anyone who has questions about getting flu and COVID vaccines this fall, Chan encourages them to speak to a health-care provider such as a pharmacist or physician for practical information. “Fall is designated as flu season. There’s usually an uptick in infections this time of year,” he says. “Vaccines are one of the easiest ways to prevent complications — and to help protect your- self and your family.” ■
Vaccines build and prime your immune system so when you do see the virus, you’re better prepared. They reduce the spread and reduce the chances of other people getting it as well.
– Pharmacist, Ryan Chan
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