FLU CLINIC ADAPTATIONS TO ENSURE YOUR SAFETY

Reducing the burden of influenza is particularly important this season to prevent an increase in health care utilization and, at the same time, a decrease in a potential resurgence of COVID-19 activity. As COVID-19 activity continues to stress public health capacity and affect clinic operations, attendance to our pharmacy as a community provider of vaccines now comes with many more challenges and several extra restrictions. There is now a need for measures to avoid transmission of COVID-19 to staff, volunteers and clients (many of whom are at increased risk of severe disease from both influenza and COVID-19).

• We are primarily providing vaccination via appointment only this year to avoid overcrowding and to reduce infection transmission risk via the transfer of pens/paper by having COVID-19 pre-screening and vaccine informed consent completed online prior to appointment.

• Infection prevention and control (IPC) requirements ARE MANDATORY; use the hand sanitizer provided on entry, practice respiratory etiquette, and maintain physical distancing before/after appointment,  including the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) ie. mask or face coverings.

• Please come alone for your appointment as only people registered for the vaccine appointment will be allowed into the pharmacy. However, back-to-back appointments with family ‘pods’ or ‘bubbles’ will be accommodated for immunization in order to avoid the need for multiple visits. Minimize the number of persons coming to the appointment, (e.g., only the client plus a caregiver if necessary; only bring children if they are being immunized).

• Providing multiple, smaller appointment are necessary to reduce patient cross-over. All the necessary forms will be completed during booking so please do not enter the pharmacy early for your appointment. If you arrive early, please remain in your car until a few minutes before your appointment time. Please do not arrive late as late arrivals may cause a potential overlap with the next appointment and your vaccination may have to be rescheduled. Appointments times should allow adequate time for clients to “flow” and reduce crowding.

• The recommended observation period following immunization is necessary to manage anaphylaxis and is still observed. However, a shorter observation period maybe considered only while distancing in post-vaccination areas is maintained (discretionary recommendation). A shorter period should only be considered where vaccine recipients meet specific criteria (e.g. no history of allergy to the vaccine components or post-vaccine reaction to any vaccine, accompanied by a chaperone to monitor. etc.).

• To ensure that information is available and accessible, please contact the pharmacy in advance of your appointment by phone or our website if you have any questions. To encourage the flow of the appointments, the pharmacist will be unable to answer any questions at the time of the vaccination. We are always otherwise always available to hear from you!

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Columbia Street Pharmacy.