UNB hosts free flu shots at MacLaggan Hall
FREDERICTON — The student health centre at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton held its first flu shot clinic of the year at MacLaggan Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 15. At the clinic, students from UNB and St. Thomas University had vaccines administered to them by third-year nursing students.
It comes as health officials encourage residents to get vaccinated and prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed with seasonal influenza and COVID-19 patients. In a news release, Health Minister Dorothy Shephard said the province added $1.5 million to the program to offer flu shots for free.
“This is necessary to reduce hospitalizations due to complications from the seasonal flu, which would strain our health care system as we prepare for a potential second wave of COVID-19 cases,” said Shephard in a release.
Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province’s chief medical officer of health, said immunization is an important step to keep New Brunswickers healthy. She said seasonal influenza poses serious risks to the elderly, the very young and those with weak immune systems, adding the virus “should not be underestimated.”
According to data released by the province, New Brunswick Public Health reported more than 2,350 cases of the flu in 2019, resulting in 11 deaths. 268 cases were hospitalized, with 43 patients being admitted to the intensive care unit.
“I encourage everyone to get their free flu shot to protect themselves, their family and those members of our community who are the most at risk of complications,” said Russell. “We all have a role to play to keep healthy this flu season and especially this year during the pandemic.”
A recent survey from the Canadian Pharmacists Association estimates 57 per cent of Canadians intend to get a flu shot this fall, compared to 45 per cent in 2019. 34 per cent of respondents said they are more likely to receive a vaccine because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Erin Smal, a third-year nursing student, said after a recent rise in COVID-19 cases across New Brunswick – notably in Moncton and Campbellton – she feels more people are willing to be immunized. The flu shot clinic’s first day saw staff run out of the first vaccine shipment within two hours of opening.
“There’s definitely a push for more people to come in than usual just because we don’t want to overload the health care system,” she said. “I think we’ve done a good job marketing that as well, spreading the word that ‘you really need to get your flu shot this year,’ more so than other years.”
Students receiving a vaccine at MacLaggen Hall are required to book an appointment over the phone as there are a limited number of drop-ins available. In addition, they must wear a face mask and t-shirt with access to the upper arm and should expect a 15 minute waiting period after the injection.
As a nursing student still learning the ropes of her trade, Smal said it can be nerve-wracking to administer the first few flu shots. Still, the real-world experience is worth it.
“I think it’s really good for us to get this experience. It’s been a different experience that we haven’t had yet, so that’s awesome,” said Smal.
Smal said offering a clinic on-campus makes the vaccine more accessible to students who can’t make it to a doctor’s office or pharmacy. On top of nursing students receiving real-world practice, she said she hopes a clinic run by a group of peers will convince more first-timers to receive the vaccine.
“Being in a student atmosphere is comforting for some people instead of going to a clinic where it’s super medical and they’re not familiar with the area,” said Smal. “They might know someone who’s in nursing, so they could get their flu shot from their friend.”
The clinic offers its next round of flu shots on Oct. 21 and 22. It also has sessions available on Oct. 27 as well as Oct. 29, Nov. 4 and Nov. 6, with its last clinic on Nov. 17. Each session will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
