ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — No, you can’t get the flu from the flu shot.
That’s one of the most common questions Dr. Monika Dutt says she has fielded as a family physician around this time of year.
Dutt, medical officer of health for the western and central regions of Newfoundland, says sometimes people get influenza if they’ve already contracted it before they get vaccinated or before the vaccine has had a chance to kick in.
Or, of course, you could just have a cold.
“People often still do think they can get sick from the vaccine,” Dutt said Tuesday. “You can get some side effects, you can get soreness in your arm, you may get a mild fever, but you cannot get the flu from the vaccine.”
Public flu clinics open Wednesday across Newfoundland and Labrador. Unlike previous years, there will be no walk-ins; appointments can be made by phone or online.
“People often still do think they can get sick from the vaccine. You can get some side effects, you can get soreness in your arm, you may get a mild fever, but you cannot get the flu from the vaccine.” — Dr. Monika Dutt
“In some ways, it will be perhaps a little more convenient because you know exactly when your appointment will be,” Dutt said.
The uptake for adult flu vaccine in this province is quite low. The province is determined to get that number up this year to prevent a double-whammy of an active flu season and a possible second wave of COVID-19.
One strategy is to widen the options. Doctors can charge MCP again this year for administering them. Registered nurses, nurse practitioners and licensed practical nurses can give them, as can pharmacists, paramedics and midwives.
A more robust version of the vaccine is being offered in long-term care homes, and the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District confirmed Tuesday it is offering a flu shot program for students in Grades 4-12 and for staff.
“Our goal is 85 per cent, which would be a significant increase from previous years,” Dutt said. “It was about 30 per cent in 2019-20 for publicly funded vaccines.
Fringe benefit
Dutt says there’s plenty of time for people to get their flu shot, as there hasn’t been any sign of the virus in the province so far this fall.
The main reason is that COVID-19 pandemic measures have helped stamp out infectious diseases other than COVID-19.
“Back in March, what would have still been our flu season completely dropped off as all the other measures that we put in place came into being,” she said. “Even now, across the country, there is essentially no influenza being seen at this time, whereas normally there might have been some already circulating.”
In April, Health Minister Dr. John Haggie admitted this silver lining of health measures was not initially anticipated.
“There’s a huge overlap between measures that you can do to control influenza-like illnesses and COVID-19 because they both share the fact that they are respiratory viruses,” he said.
“I think that it’s an interesting testament to the efficacy of simple hand hygiene, public health measures such as distancing and the restrictions that have been put in place.”
But vaccines are still a major part of the strategy as colder weather drives more people indoors, and Dutt advised residents not to be complacent.
“People die from influenza. People get very sick from influenza. Even for people who have so-called mild flu, it can still knock you out for a few weeks.”
