High-dose influenza vaccine appointments ‘gobbled up,’ N.S. pharmacist says

Many Nova Scotians aged 65 years and older have listened to doctor’s orders: get vaccinated.

Graham MacKenzie, pharmacist and owner of Stone’s Pharmasave in Baddeck, said his clinic went through its inventory of high-dose influenza vaccines in a couple of days.

“That high dose one was gobbled up immediately,” MacKenzie said in an interview Tuesday.

The vaccine is offered to older Nova Scotians for free this flu season – a first for the province.

MacKenzie said it’s not surprising as people aged 65 and up are “historically the most receptive population by far of any vaccine.”

However, it’s a different story when it comes to the COVID-19 and influenza vaccine for people under the age of 65.

MacKenzie said his pharmacy hosted its first standard-dose influenza vaccination clinic Tuesday morning and only administered about 30 shots, when they could have done up to 60 shots.

The turnout is on par with the results of a survey recently done on behalf of the Canadian Pharmacists Association.

Only 56 per cent of Atlantic Canadians said they will get an influenza vaccine this fall, according to the survey.

Despite the number being rather low overall, it’s still an 11-point increase since last flu season.

However, 38 per cent of people said they won’t be getting an influenza vaccine this year.

Meanwhile, 50 per cent of Atlantic Canadians said they planned to get a COVID-19 vaccine this year.

MacKenzie stressed it’s important that people of all ages get their vaccines.

“You’re trying to, well, number one, keep yourself from dying and out of the hospital,” he said. “You’re trying to also perhaps not get the virus and you’re also trying to not spread it to somebody else.”

MacKenzie acknowledged people 65 and older are most vulnerable to influenza, RSV and COVID-19, but said “that’s what we’re trying to prevent” with vaccines.

“People feel, ‘I’m kind of invincible when I’m 30 years old, why bother?’ but really, the virus can still mess around with you when you’re perfectly healthy. That’s what these viruses do to you,” he said.

MacKenzie recommended people get their vaccines earlier in the flu season as it takes a couple of weeks for the vaccine to take effect.

There has been an increase in COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) across Nova Scotia in the past few weeks, according to the Health Department’s respiratory watch report for Oct. 1-14.

“Testing eligibility guidelines and the use of multiplex respiratory virus testing affect the number of cases identified and reported,” the report reads.

“Because not everyone gets tested or is eligible for testing, the numbers reported here under-represent the true burden of disease in the community.

“The implementation of multiplex testing has likely led to increased detection of cases of other respiratory pathogens, including RSV.”

Public Health supports access to COVID-19 and influenza immunization, as well as COVID-19 testing across the province. All upcoming clinics can be found online at https://t.co/kxy2l3EmL8. pic.twitter.com/qWcNX5pfGI

— Nova Scotia Health (@HealthNS) October 20, 2023

During the two-week period, there were 10 new cases of influenza A reported, 930 cases of COVID-19 and nine new cases of RSV.

Dr. Robert Strang previously said cases of influenza and RSV often increase in late fall/early winter.

Since the beginning of the season, which runs from Aug. 27, 2023, to Aug. 24, 2024, there have been non-ICU hospitalizations related to influenza. Meanwhile, there have been 106 non-ICU hospitalizations, five people admitted to ICU and nine deaths due to COVID-19.

The Health Department said RSV “is not a notifiable disease in Nova Scotia.”

MacKenzie said pharmacies across Nova Scotia are to receive shipments of high-dose influenza vaccines, influenza vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines throughout the season. Pharmacies will then look at their numbers and look to order more if needed.

“I think we’re just kind of feeling out to see how much we’re going through right now just so we’re not wasting any,” he said.

Nova Scotians are able to book their vaccine appointments online or by calling 1-833-797-7772. People may receive their influenza and COVID vaccine at the same appointment where available.

MacKenzie also said some pharmacies, such as his own, often administer standard-dose vaccines to people who don’t have an appointment.

“It only takes a minute to do a shot, so if someone comes in with their health card, as long as we’re open, we’re happy to be able to fit them in,” he said.

With the high-dose influenza vaccine in high demand, MacKenzie said it’s often not possible for people to receive their dose without an appointment.