Residents urged to get flu shots as resurgence is expected: pharmacy association

Diane Harpell says it’s likely there will be a resurgence this year compared to last year, when there were very few reported cases of influenza

 CityNews Halifax Staff

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The Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia is urging residents to get their flu shots as more cases are expected this year.

Last week, the provincial government announced the flu vaccine was available to Nova Scotians for free from most pharmacies, family doctors, family practice nurses and nurse practitioners across the province.

Diane Harpell, chair of the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia, said it’s important residents get their influenza vaccinations.

She told CityNews Halifax it’s likely there will be a resurgence this year, compared to last year when there were very few reported cases.

“It’s very likely that we may see that this year,” she said. “A lot of travelling happening right now and obviously restrictions are changing.”

“We are still wearing masks but we’re in larger groups sometimes without masks. Certainly we expect we will see some flu if not a lot of flu this year.”

Harpell said all residents aged six months and older are encouraged to get their shot as soon as they can.

“You can see flu anytime between now and into spring and it does linger around depending on what the season looks like,” she said. “That’s why we try to get the vaccine in as early as we can and then try to prevent as much flu as possible.”

Nova Scotia has ordered 495,200 doses of the flu shot this year.