Discussions

Does anyone know where the high dose vaccine for seniors is available in Brandon? Thanks.

"Manitoba Health and Seniors Care offers a high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine (Fluzone® High-Dose) to the following individuals who are 65 years of age and older and who are:  
 
-Residents of long-term care facilities (LTCF), including chronic care residents, OR  
-Residents of supportive and assisted living housing, OR  
-Clients in interim/transitional care beds, respite care clients as well as new, unimmunized residents admitted to a LTCF during the flu season, OR  
-In a provincial correctional facility, including those who are newly incarcerated or transferred from other federal or out of province correctional facilities, OR  
-Receiving homecare services while on a waiting list for admission into a LTCF, OR  
-Living on a First Nation or remote/isolated community, OR  
-Living north of the 53rd parallel of latitude"  
(source: https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/flu/ )  
 
Many people who are eligible for the high-dose flu vaccine will receive it automatically (ie- those in correctional facilities, care homes). For those receiving home care while awaiting placement in a long term care facility, the home care coordinator should provide information as to the closest place to get it.  
The Manitoba Vaccine Finder has info as to where it is stocked for those who may not find out or be given as stated above:  
https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/vaccine/finder.html

We got our flu shots there last week.  
Shoppers Drug Mart also has them

We got ours in the pharmacy in the WMC on Victoria Ave. Friday

To me it is very unfair to seniors that live in their homes or with family members.  
 
Seniors living in their own homes still have a high risk of catching flu and should get this.

The decision as to who is eligible for any publicly funded vaccine is not based on 'fairness'. Public health officials look at a number of variables before a decision is made:  
"In addition to approval by Health Canada and a recommendation for use based on available scientific evidence by NACI, other factors are also relevant for provinces to consider when deciding whether a vaccine product should be preferentially funded over other available options. This includes consideration not only of relative protection but also absolute reduction in disease burden, the numbers needed to vaccinate to achieve that, the relative costs and incremental cost effectiveness, as well as feasibility and logistics of implementation. "  
For this flu season, only Alberta, PEI, and Ontario are offering high dose flu vaccine to all seniors.  
(Source: http://www.bccdc.ca/resource-gallery/Documents/Guidelines%20and%20Forms/Guidelines%20and%20Manuals/Immunization/Vaccine%20Info/FluzoneHD_QandA.pdf )

The fact is that seniors 65 and older is recommended to have the more potent. CDC recommends.  
 
As far as money is concerned who cares.  
 
It costs a lot more for a senior living at home to get flu and spend a lot of time in hospital and possibly ICU if spots are available.  
 
Then they may require more home care after which is additional costs.  
 
Seniors immunity to getting sick is lower than other ages. Plus seniors generally have other health concerns.  
 
No matter where a senior lives needs not to be a factor.  
 
There is no shortage of any type of flu shot as people still believe that flu is just a cold and you don’t die from it. Surprise!