INFLUENZA VACCINE (FLU) HIGH-DOSE
More antigens = more immunity. Maximize your protection!
Who should get the high-dose vaccine?
The flu can be scary for people 65+ because, as we age, our bodies change and so do our immune systems.
Seniors represent only 15% of Canada's population but in 2014-2015, adults 65+ accounted for 70% of influenza-related hospitalizations and 91% of influenza-related deaths.
Also, 74% of Canadians 65+ report having at least ONE chronic medication condition, many of which may put them at high risk for influenza and its complications.
For persons aged 65 years and over, the risk for influenza-attributed death was:
5x greater among those with chronic heart disease
12x greater among those with chronic lung disease
20x greater among those with BOTH chronic heart and lung conditions
Adults 65 years of age and older are particularly vulnerable to influenza and that's why it is important to help protect yourself.
That's why the High-Dose flu vaccine is specially formulated for people 65 years of age and older.
24.2% MORE EFFECTIVE THAN STANDARD DOSE VACCINE
What's the difference?
The high-dose (HD) flu shot is an inactivated influenza vaccine that contains four times the antigen of a standard-dose influenza vaccine. The antigen is the part of the vaccine that helps your body build up protection against disease. This extra antigen is used to create a stronger immune response in older people to provide better protection against influenza.
This seasons high-dose influenza vaccine is even better than before! The new and improved vaccine is now quadrivalent, meaning it helps to protect against 2 influenza A strains and BOTH INFLUENZA B LINEAGES that unpredictably co-circulate each season.
Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends that people 65 years of age and older should get the High-Dose because it is expected to provide better protection compared to the other influenza standard dose vaccines.
In B.C., only adults 65 years of age and older, living in long term care and assisted living facilities can receive the High-Dose vaccine for free.
For those adults over the age of 65 who are not eligible for the publicly funded (free) program (ie: not living in a long term care home), the vaccine is available to buy from Columbia Street Pharmacy.
Although most of the available influenza vaccines may be used in people 65 and older, the use of an available influenza vaccines is preferable to remaining unvaccinated.
Only Fluzone® High-Dose is approved for use in adults 65 years of age and older.
CURRENT FLU SEASON
Pre-Orders Only
Due to high demand, the HD flu vaccine must be pre-ordered to ensure availability.
Interest in the high-dose influenza vaccine is highly anticipated this year due to SARS-CoV2 (CoViD-19) pandemic and availability will be extremely limited due to manufacturing supply quantities. Access to a very limited stock supply will be solely based on pre-orders on a first-come, first-serve basis.