CANORA - Numerous residents from Canora and the surrounding area got their vaccinations at the first Flu/COVID clinic of the season held at Rainbow Hall in Canora on Oct. 15.
Kelsey Unger, public health nurse, was one of those giving vaccinations, and said that anyone who is looking for more vaccination-related information can find it through SHA (Saskatchewan Health Authority) or Health Canada.
According to the SHA website mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 teach our cells how to make a protein that will trigger an immune response without using the live virus that causes COVID-19. Once triggered, our body then makes antibodies. These antibodies help us fight the infection if the real virus does enter our body in the future. The vaccine is given as a needle in the upper arm.
Anyone six months of age and older who is eligible should be immunized against COVID-19. If you have concerns, discuss them with your healthcare provider.
COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in Canada are safe and effective and will prevent the most serious health outcomes for the majority of residents but vaccination will not stop 100 per cent of transmission. A percentage of people who are vaccinated against COVID-19 may still develop COVID-19 when exposed to the virus. It takes up to 14 days to build immunity following the primary vaccination series. For more information, Information Sheets for each type of COVID-19 vaccine are available.
You may have some side effects a day or two after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Common side effects include pain, redness or swelling where the vaccine was given. Other side effects may include mild fever, chills, headache, joint or muscle pain, nausea and vomiting, swollen lymph nodes in the armpit, or feeling tired. Most side effects are not serious and will go away on their own. As with all vaccines, there's a chance that there will be a serious side effect, but these are rare.
All residents will be asked to report any adverse or unexpected reactions to HealthLine 811.
You are afforded some protection with one dose, but the two-dose primary-series vaccines require a second dose in order to ensure the full immune system response. Booster doses are recommended to protect against the current COVID-19 variants. Full protection will help reduce the risk of transmission, as well as prevent the most severe forms of the COVID-19 illness and death.
Vaccination is recommended even if you've had COVID-19. A COVID-19 vaccine dose should be given at least three months after infection. More time between infection and vaccination is recommended to ensure a strong immune response. However, immunization after infection may be provided upon request if your symptoms have improved, concluded the SHA information.
According to information found at the Health Canada website, the flu vaccine is the best defense against the flu. The flu vaccine is recommended every year in the fall or winter, ideally before the flu season starts. Almost everyone who is at least six months of age should get a flu vaccine.
The flu vaccine protects you by:
- helping prevent serious flu-related complications
- reducing your chances of getting the flu at the same time as other respiratory illnesses, which could make you very sick
- protecting the healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed during respiratory illness season
- The flu vaccine also helps protect people close to you because you're less likely to spread the flu to them if you're vaccinated.
You need a flu vaccine every year. Every year, different strains of flu circulate during the flu season. In addition:
- flu viruses can change over time
- protection from the flu vaccine wears off over time
- The World Health Organization studies worldwide trends and recommends the strains to be included each year in the annual flu vaccine.
Adults and children nine years of age and older should receive one dose of flu vaccine each year.
Children from six months to less than nine years of age who have never had a flu vaccine before should receive two doses. It's recommended that the interval between doses be at least four weeks apart during the current flu season.
Only one dose is needed for children six months to less than nine years of age who have been vaccinated with one or more doses of the flu vaccine in any previous season.
It's especially important for some people to get the influenza vaccine, including those:
- who are at risk of severe illness
- at risk of spreading the flu to people at high risk of complications
It generally takes about two weeks for your flu vaccine to work.
The effectiveness of the vaccine can vary and may depend on your health and age, as well as how well this year's vaccine matches this year's flu strains
Sometimes, the strains circulating in the population change while the vaccine is being produced. When this happens, the flu vaccine may not be as effective. However, if you've had your flu vaccine, you're still better protected than someone who hasn't been vaccinated.
Side effects after a flu vaccine are generally mild and go away on their own within a few days. You cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine. Severe reactions are very rare, concluded the Health Canada flu vaccination information.
Other Flu/COVID-19 vaccination clinics coming up in the local area include:
- Oct. 24, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Stenen Dew Drop Centre
- Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.at the Rama Golden Jets Centre
- Nov. 12, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Dec. 12, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Canora Rainbow Hall
- Nov. 26, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Invermay Community Hall.
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