Jodi Hughes (00:00):
Every single year, we are reminded of the importance of getting our flu shots and taking measures to stay healthy. This year, of course, that message is even more important. Alana Carlson with Ohana Health Care. Ohana Care Health Services. I mixed that up, Alana. Thanks so much for joining us this morning. And we’re talking about flu shots and how important they are. So let’s start really with the basics, Alana. Who should be getting the flu shot?
Alana Carlson (00:30):
I think everyone should be getting the flu shot. So really, you’re going to want to protect yourself and high risk populations, so those who are immunocompromised, our essential workers really this year as well.
Jodi Hughes (00:48):
And it’s so important not only for us to be protecting ourselves, but like you were talking about, protecting other people. So you explained why the flu shot, or who should be getting the flu shot, where can people go to get this flu shot? Because there are a lot of options for people.
Alana Carlson (01:04):
Yeah, that’s right. So I think first and foremost, you have your community health clinics. You’ve got your family doctors, pharmacists as well. And then you’ve got mobile onsite services will provide house calls or come to your organization.
Jodi Hughes (01:21):
Which is super convenient. We’ll talk more about coming into the organizations in just a moment. What are some of the fears that you have found that people have and why they’re not going and getting their flu shots when it’s been made so convenient to the public?
Alana Carlson (01:37):
I think one of the biggest misconceptions is getting the flu shot is going to make you feel unwell. And I mean, yes, there can be some side effects or symptoms, but you really do have to keep in mind the level of protection, or should you actually contract influenza, the severity to be much, much less if you’ve gone and got your flu shot this year.
Jodi Hughes (02:05):
It is so important. So companies can have people come in and administer the flu shots to their staff. Talk a little bit about that because that makes everything a lot more convenient, especially when we’re in the middle of a pandemic.
Alana Carlson (02:20):
Yeah. I think this year, a lot of compliments were received by our company on that convenience factor. So I think one of the biggest things to remember is plan ahead. And that planning typically starts in May or June. So certainly, we want to encourage employers, organizations to start thinking about if they’d like to host an influenza clinic because it just makes things so much simpler for everyone involved.
Jodi Hughes (02:51):
Absolutely. Alana, thank you so much for being with us this morning and for passing on that information. If you want to read more about that information that Alana was just talking about, you can go to ohanacare.ca.
