Kids first: Pharmacists head into flu season with children on their priority list

Flu season may be off to a late start this year, with only eight cases of influenza reported in Canada between August 29 and September 25. Nevertheless pharmacists across the country are getting ready for the potential for a “twindemic” of the SARS-CoV-2 and the influenza virus. They’re especially concerned about young Canadians aged 11 and under, who remain ineligible for COVID-19 vaccination. “With kids being back in the classroom, they’re at higher risk of contracting respiratory infections,” said Josée-Anne Le Dorze, a pharmacist and co-owner of Simplicity Wellness pharmacy in Winnipeg. “That’s why we’re actively talking to our clients about flu shots and how it’s really important that they and their children get vaccinated against influenza.” To get this message across, Le Dorze and her team have put up signs encouraging patients to ask about the flu vaccine. They’re also taking a proactive approach by asking customers about their plans for getting the vaccine. “And we’re booking family appointments so parents can come in with their children and we get to do everyone all at once,” said Le Dorze. Read: Manufacturers working to develop combination influenza and COVID-19 vaccine Similar efforts are underway at a Toronto bricks-and-mortar pharmacy that’s part of Vancouver-based digital pharmacy startup Mednow Inc. Maya Hamam, a pharmacist at the Toronto site, said she’s been talking to parents about their kids vaccinated against the flu. But achieving high flu vaccination rates among kids will take more than buy-in from parents, she added. Another big challenge will be ensuring there are enough pharmacy staff to administer flu shots along with ongoing COVID vaccinations. “The uptake of flu vaccine last year was more than I’ve ever seen yet we were able to handle that,” said Hamam. “But the difference is that last year there was no COVID vaccine; this year we have both the COVID and the flu vaccine.” Justin Bates, CEO of the Ontario Pharmacists Association, said one solution to this human resource problem would be for the Ontario government to expand an emergency order that allowed pharmacy technicians to give COVID-19 vaccines to also include flu shots. “We need that resource,” said Bates. “Pharmacy technicians are trained to administer vaccines, whether it’s for COVID or influenza.” Ensuring adequate supply and distribution of the influenza vaccine will also be critical to ensuring that all Canadians, including children, get their flu shot, said Sandra Hanna, CEO of the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada. “One of the things we’re discussing with government is ensuring pharmacists have access to enough supply of the (flu) vaccine because that was a big challenge last year,” she said. “We saw the public flocking to pharmacies but there was not enough supply.” Read: Gearing up for third vaccine doses for the immunocompromised Last year’s record-breaking level of flu vaccinations in Canada, combined with the widespread uptake of public health measures such as lockdowns, social distancing and constant use of hand and surface sanitizers, has driven influenza cases across the country to all-time lows and shortened last year’s flu season by eight weeks, according to the federal government’s flu watch reports. But with the continued easing or removal of these measures, Canadians could be in for a double whammy of flu and COVID, warned Phil Emberley, acting director, professional affairs at the Canadian Pharmacists Association. “A twindemic is a potential reality this year so we shouldn’t be complacent,” he said. “If we get a strong flu season that could be quite catastrophic given all the burden COVID-19 has put on the healthcare system.” Pharmacists will likely play a critical role in preventing this twindemic, said Emberley, as majority of Canadians planning to get a flu shot this influenza season will likely head over to their community pharmacy for that jab. He pointed to a recent CPhA survey, which found more than half of all Canadians intend to get a flu shot this year. Among this majority, close to 60% said they’ll be getting this shot from their pharmacist. More than 90% who did get their flu vaccine administered last year by a pharmacist plan to go back for this season’s flu shot. Read: Pharmacies must put corporate interests aside to give flu shots

Kids first: Pharmacists head into flu season with children on their priority list

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