This post is sponsored by Shoppers Drug Mart, however, all opinions and spelling mistakes are my own.
When I was in New York last week everyone seemed to be talking about how sick their family was back home. Fevers, the flu, you name it. For many of my colleagues, being in New York was a welcome respite from caregiver duty (and a super fun opp to let loose with healthy peeps like me!)
Anyway, I was floored. I couldn’t believe people were still getting sick. Then – cue forehead smack – it dawned on me. We’re still in the middle of winter! I guess I was distracted, it being February and all, with the sun setting later each day, expanding our daylight hours (or more likely my brain was in a state of fog after one too many late NYC nights.)
Fact is, we’re not out of the woods yet. Flu season lasts from November to April in Canada The good news is you can still mitigate the risk of coming down with the flu. !
The number one way to prevent the flu is by getting the flu shot. The better news is that flu vaccines are free across Canada at Shoppers Drug Mart (yes, they’re still offering them!). Better still, it’s unlikely you’ll have to wait. Simply waltz in and ask for the jab. The very best news is that this year’s flu shot is blessedly more effective than it was last year..
According to the mid-season analysis, this year’s flu vaccine is 72 per cent effective in preventing infection with the H1N1 respiratory virus (the dominant circulating flu strain) across all age groups. With kids one to eight-years old, the effectiveness rate is way higher at 91 per cent.
Should kids get the flu shot?
And that’s significant because this year, kids have been disproportionately affected by the flu virus. Children under the age of nine make up 28 per cent of all flu cases, even though they only make up 10 per cent of the population. Bottom line? If you and your family have yet to get the flu shot, it’s still worth getting. Like, now.
You may be the smug sort (like me), who often thinks recommendations to the general public do not apply to them. I get it. Do you really need the flu shot even if you’re super healthy?
Actually, yes. Even if you do all the things: get enough rest, regular exercise, eat a healthy diet filled with the recommended vitamins and nutrients, you never know what germs you’re going to come into contact with. Who can predict if some hoser is going to sneeze on you in the grocery line?
Even though I rarely get sick, I still get the flu shot. Here’s how I avoid the flu when I’m at home and my best tips for staying healthy while travelling. If you’re not squeamish and get pleasure from the misfortune of others AKA schadenfreude, you’ll definitely want to read the latter, where I disclose a majorly embarrassing thing that happened to me in China. Ugh. All kinds of no.
Have you been sick this winter? Did you also get the flu shot? Share your stories with me on Twitter (@Jody_Robbins) using the #ShoppersFluCrew tag.
