The Flu Shot: Myths and Family Photos plus a Great Giveaway!

Our whole family gets the flu shot at Shoppers Drug Mart every year, and just a week ago we made an outing of it. (And by "outing", I mean we went out for dinner after. I'll use any excuse.) 

I know there are a lot of myths circulating about the flu shot out there, and I'm hoping this post can help encourage those who are hesitant about the vaccination. (I like to think I'm a pretty smart woman, and I do my research before any health treatments for myself or my kids too.)

Here are some common myths dispelled...plus some cute Winn family photos...if I do say so myself!

The flu vaccine gives you the flu.

FALSE. Flu vaccinations delivered via a needle are either made with an ‘inactivated’ flu virus that’s not infectious, or with no flu virus at all.

{Note: you're always going to hear someone who swears the flu shot gave them the flu, but more likely they had a different type of illness entirely - one that could have been present even before the flu shot - or happened to get a strain that wasn't covered. It was not caused by the shot.}

You don’t need to get the flu vaccine every year.

FALSE. In order to best protect yourself from the flu you need to be vaccinated annually. Getting a vaccine doesn’t need to be a complicated, time consuming process.  Canadians can drop in to their local Shoppers Drug Mart or select grocery stores at any time of day, without an appointment.

You should wait until the height of flu season to get vaccinated so you’re protected for longer.

FALSE. While it’s never too late to get vaccinated, it’s best to receive your flu shot soon after it’s available, likely  October. The antibodies delivered via the flu vaccine that protect you against infection take up to two weeks to take effect, and since the flu peaks between December – February it’s important to get vaccinated weeks before the holiday party season starts.

{Note: I don't know about your family, but from my experience at least someone in every household is sick at Christmas. I want to make sure my family and I are as protected as possible.}

Pregnant women need to get consent from their doctor prior to receiving the flu vaccine.

FALSE. There is no recommendation for pregnant women to seek consent from their doctor prior to vaccination. However, there are some people who should seek their doctors’ advice prior to being vaccinated, including those who have a moderate – to – severe illness and patients with a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. 

***

Are you convinced yet? If not, perhaps this will help: 70-90 per cent of flu cases can be averted through vaccination! I like those odds.

Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacies across the country are making it easy by offering flu immunizations administered by an injection-certified pharmacist at all hours, without an appointment, just walk-in.

Now that we've settled that, it's time for a giveaway!

One lucky This Mom Loves winner will receive an awesome Flu Fighters pack from Shoppers Drug Mart valued at $150 containing the following:

• Life Brand Hand Sanitizer

• Cough Drops

• Vaporizing Cold Rub

• Electrolyte Maintenance Powder

• Disinfectant Wipes

• Vaporizer

• PC Chicken noodle soup

• PC Facial tissues

• PC Feeling Soothed Tea

• $100 gift card

All you have to do to enter to win is post a tweet or Facebook update that contains all three of the following:

1. A link to this post (the one you're reading right now!) 
http://thismomloves.blogspot.ca/2016/12/the-flu-shot-myths-and-family-photos.html
2. A tag for @thismomloves
3. The hashtag #SDMflufighters

For example:

Flu shot myths dispelled - plus win a $150 prize pack from @thismomloves
http://thismomloves.blogspot.ca/2016/12/the-flu-shot-myths-and-family-photos.html

#SDMflufighters

Feel free to use that exact tweet, but be careful with Facebook: if you copy and paste, you still need to type @thismomloves manually or the tag won't pop up and I won't be notified in order to count your entry!

The giveaway runs until Friday, December 9th at midnight Eastern, after which time the entries will be totalled and a winner will be chosen through random number generation. Good luck...and happy flu-fighting!

Disclosure: This post was generously sponsored by Shoppers Drug Mart. Opinions are, as always, my own.