COVID-19 drives up demand for flu shots; N.S. to launch campaign later this week
With the colder winds of fall starting to blow, flu season will soon be on us again, but it seems scores of people are hoping to head off the sickness by getting a flu shot.
Unlike last year, when it was essentially pre-empted by COVID-19, experts say influenza will be back this year.
Just hours after getting a shipment and posting signage outside lineups started to form inside a north end Halifax pharmacy.
"We just got our flu shots, and people start showing up right away," said pharmacist and store owner Ghada Gabr.
"I think this is going to be a lot of demand."
It's the same story a few blocks away, where pharmacist Greg Richard is expecting his first shipment of flu vaccine later this week.
With COVID-19 still around, customers like Kathy Lynch, who hasn't had a flu shot in five years, is anxious to get one.
"I mean, I feel great. I've had no problem with either of the vaccinations, so, to put another layer on top is just the best thing, I think," she said.
"People are eager to get their doses into them right off the bat," said Richard. "They're not looking to wait until November or December. So, I have a list of folks I'm going to reach out to as soon as they (the vaccines) arrive, and I anticipate to run through my stock pretty quickly."
And it might very turn out to be the same thing across the country.
There's word today Ontario has ordered an extra 1.4 million doses, with an aim to make the shots available to everyone by next month.
In Nova Scotia, the Health Minister says the official kickoff will come later this week, and supply should not be a problem,
"We do anticipate having enough vaccine for folks," said Michelle Thompson.
"And I would really encourage people to ensure they have both their COVID-19 vaccine and the influenza vaccine this year."
But, if early demand is any indication there might not be need for much encouragement.
A sign of the times as more and more of us take steps to avoid getting sick.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Winning $70 million Lotto Max ticket sold in Toronto
A winning Lotto Max ticket was sold in Toronto from last nights draw.
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. 23 years later, they're still in love.
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
What's a Barnacle? It's yellow, sticks and screams if you try to pry it off your car
Barnacles, bright yellow devices used to make sure parking scofflaws pay their tickets, could soon be making their way to cities across Canada.
Verdun Airbnb listing taken down amid complaints, fines and frustration from neighbours
An Airbnb in Montreal's Verdun borough was the source of much frustration from neighbours who say there were constant parties at the location. It has been taken down from the app, but housing advocates remain upset about short-term rentals.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Moscow says 50 Ukrainian drones shot down as attacks spark fires at Russian power stations
Ukraine launched a barrage of drones across Russia overnight, the Defence Ministry in Moscow said Saturday, in attacks that appeared to target the country's energy infrastructure.
A Nigerian chess champion plays the royal game for 60 hours - a new global chess record
A Nigerian chess champion and child education advocate played chess nonstop for 60 hours in New York City's Times Square to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.
Fire in Labrador town under control, officials tells residents to stay away
RCMP say the fire that prompted a state of emergency in a Labrador town is now under control.