Come Pay Your Due Against The Flu!

Did you know that the single best way to avoid getting the flu is to get a yearly flu shot? During the 2017-2018 flu season, the flu vaccine prevented 7.1 million cases of the flu, 109,000 hospitalizations, and 8000 deaths.1 That’s with only about 42% of adults getting a flu shot! Flu season typically begins around October and can extend well into May but these are just the most common months. You can get the flu any time of year so it is always recommended to get your flu shot early!

For a healthy adult the flu may not seem to be that big of a deal but, the flu can greatly increase the chance of heart attack or stroke. Adults over 35 with a confirmed case of the flu are 6-10 times more likely to suffer their first heart attack and are about 8 times more likely to suffer their first stroke.2,3 Those of high risk stand to benefit from flu vaccines as well. People with type II diabetes who also receive yearly flu vaccines are 30% less likely to have a stroke, 22% less likely to suffer from heart failure, and 19% less likely to have a heart attack.4

Getting a flu vaccine not only helps the recipient but everyone around the recipient. This is especially important for infants under 6 months and those with conditions preventing them from getting a flu shot. Those unable to be vaccinated depend on the rest of us for protection from the flu. The more flu shots that are received, the less flu will spread, and the safer we’ll all be.  So head over to your local Price Chopper or Market 32 pharmacy and get your shot!

FAQs:

  1. Can the flu shot give me the flu?
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    • No! Flu vaccines are made using dead viruses or pieces of the virus’s genetic code that don’t have the capability to cause illness. It takes 1-2 weeks for your body to develop immunity after receiving the flu shot, another good reason to get your shot early this season!
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  2. Why do I need to get a flu shot every year?
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    • Each year the flu virus changes, undergoing mutations that can make the previous vaccinations ineffective. Getting a flu shot yearly ensures you have immunity from the latest strain of the flu.
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  3. Is getting a flu shot the only thing I can do to prevent catching the flu?
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    • While the flu vaccine is the single best way to avoid the flu, there are many things you can do to protect yourself. Frequent hand washing and avoiding those with the flu can go a long way to prevent it from spreading. If you do fall ill it is important to stay home, cover all coughs/sneezes, and limit contact with those around you.

Written by Eugene Kupiec Pharmacy Intern

Sources:

  1. “2017-2018 Estimated Influenza Illnesses, Medical Visits, and Hospitalizations Averted by Vaccination in the United States | CDC.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed August 14, 2019. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-work/averted-estimates.htm.
  2. Warren-Gash C, Blackburn R, Whitaker H, McMenamin J, Hayward AC. Laboratory-confirmed respiratory infections as triggers for acute myocardial infarction and stroke: a self-controlled case series analysis of national linked datasets from Scotland. Eur Respir J. 2018;51. doi:10.1183/13993003.01794-2017
  3. Kwong JC, Schwartz KL, Campitelli MA, et al. Acute myocardial infarction after laboratory-confirmed influenza infection. N Engl J Med. 2018;378:345-353.
  4. Vamos EP, Pape UJ, Curcin V, et al. Effectiveness of the influenza vaccine in preventing admission to hospital and death in people with type 2 diabetes. CMAJ. 2016;188:E342-E351.
Diabetes can be a scary diagnosis. So many things to learn about; blood sugar, diet, exercise, medications, oh my! Let your local Market 32/ Price Chopper Pharmacist help. Pharmacists are medication experts and can help with those questions that can be so overwhelming. When is the best time to take my diabetes medication? How will my DIABETES CONCEPTdinner affect my fasting blood glucose? What is a “good” fasting blood glucose? How do I use my blood glucose meter? Sometimes a little “one on one” time to go over these questions can be very helpful! Stop by your local Market 32/Price Chopper Pharmacy and ask for help. Did you know that we have a Diabetes AdvantEdge program to help you fight your diabetes? This allows patients to receive many generic diabetes medications for free and also a free blood glucose meter and discounted test strips. This can go a long way in making those medication costs affordable. We also have a mobile app and web pharmacy so that you can reorder refills on the go. You can even set up reminders right on your phone to help you remember to take a medication. Doesn’t get easier than that! To download go to the app store and download the Price Chopper Pharmacy Mobile App. Next time you think, “I could use some help with my diabetes”, think Market 32/Price Chopper and stop in! We are happy to help. Written by Kim DeMagistris, PharmD, RPh Price Chopper Pharmacist For more information visit: https://www.pricechopper.com/pharmacy#/ http://www.diabetes.org/in-my-community/american-diabetes-month/ Written by Kimberly Houser, PharmD Don’t wait to get vaccinated! Two viruses that commonly circulate this time of year are the flu and the common cold. Price Chopper has all of the resources that your family needs to help prevent and also treat these illnesses! The Center for Disease Control (CDC), recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months receive their flu vaccine to help prevent illness1. This includes pregnant women and patients with diabetes! The flu virus most commonly causes mild symptoms that tend to include: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, body aches, chills, and fatigue2. The flu virus is also associated with complications including hospitalization and even death. This is why it is so important to receive your flu vaccine to help prevent illness and complications. Price Chopper Pharmacy is now carrying two formulations of the flu vaccine and can vaccinate patients over the age of 19. Patients can receive the intradermal formulation. The intradermal flu shot has a 90% smaller needle so it is a great option for people that are afraid of needles. Patients over the age of 65 can also receive the high dose flu vaccine at their local Price Chopper Pharmacy. This vaccine has four times the amount of antigen to help boost the immune response in patients over the age of 65. Ask your local Price Chopper Pharmacist which flu vaccine is right for you! Along with proper hand washing, the flu vaccine is the best way to prevent the flu, but unfortunately can’t prevent the common cold. Common symptoms for a cold include: stuffy, runny nose, scratchy throat, sneezing, watering eyes, low-grade fever, sore throat, or mild hacking cough3. If someone in your family comes down with a cold this season, stop by your local Price Chopper for all of your cough and cold needs. Stock up today on helpful items like hand sanitizer, tissues, and antihistamines. Don’t forget to ask your pharmacist which products are best for you!
  1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommends Universal Annual Influenza Vaccination [Internet]. 2010 [cited 2010 May 11]. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2010/r100224.htm
  2. About the Flu [Internet]. [cited 2010 May 11]. Available from: http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/about/index.html
  3. Common Cold [Internet]. [cited 2012 June 18]. Available from: http://pricechopper.staywellsolutionsonline.com/Search/85,P00620