Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds

By Dylana Kneeshaw

RESPIRATORY ILLNESS

Rise in COVID, flu infections in Kamloops leads to call for vaccination

Oct 31, 2023 | 6:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s that time of year — cold and flu medication shelves are stocked up and local pharmacies are inundated with dozens of flu and COVID vaccination appointments each day.

Julie Ford is the pharmacist-owner at Pharmasave Aberdeen in Kamloops and says the shop has been busy with immunizations.

“For the most part people book in for both (vaccines), or one or the other, but then when they get here they ask if they can have both. [There’s] definitely an interest in both of them at the same time.”

Traditionally, there is an uptick in respiratory illness during cooler weather months and, so far, it’s a similar trend this season.

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“We have a lot of people calling to cancel their appointments because they actually have COVID. That’s even more reason to get the COVID vaccine right now,” notes Ford. “It’s not going away. It’s still with us.”

Getting the updated COVID vaccine, which targets the XBB strain of the Omicron variant, is as straightforward as getting the annual flu vaccine. Appointments for both can be booked online using the provincial GetVaccinated website or over the phone at 1 (833) 838-2323.

“The COVID vaccine is recommended to get about six months after their last one,” adds Ford. “For those patients who got their’s in the spring, it’s now time to get it. And for those patients who didn’t get it in the spring it’s definitely time to get one.”

Interior Health Medical Health Officer Dr. Carol Fenton says there has been a lot of interest in getting both immunizations at the same appointment, simply for efficiency’s sake.

“We’ve had pretty good uptake. We’re hearing that we’re needing to add more appointments, especially for those children getting that protection, so we’re adding those as needed,” says Fenton. “If you need to book that appointment, look to book it before Christmas.”

Alongside immunizations to help avoid a serious bout of a cold or a flu, Interior Health recommends doing a risk assessment before going into crowded indoor settings to determine if wearing a mask is worthwhile.

“If I”m going to ride the bus or go on a flight, I like to wear a mask,” explains Dr. Fenton. “I felt really good about my decision, with somebody coughing behind me yesterday.”

And of course, staying home when sick.

“If you have a cough or cold, sniffles, any symptoms like that, stay home as much as you can,” adds Fenton.