Zoomer Magazine – September 2019

ADVERTORIAL

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ADULT VACCINES, SPEAK TO YOUR PHARMACIST.

VISIT SHOPPERSDRUGMART.CA TO FIND A PHARMACY NEAR YOU.

W

hile the “anti-vaccination” debate
typically refers to children, adults
aren’t off the hook when it comes
to vaccines. In fact, media coverage
around “anti-vaxxers” could be putting adults at
risk. Studies show increasing anti-vaccination
content is contributing to “vaccine hesitancy” –
a reluctance to receive recommended vaccines
because of concerns and doubts about them.
Mistrust is one of the core causes of ‘’vaccine
hesitancy”, and a new Shoppers Drug Mart/
Loblaw survey found one in 10 Canadian adults
say their trust in vaccination has decreased
with everything they’ve heard in the past year
about vaccines from news stories, media, and
celebrities. One fifth of Canadians say they are
vaccine hesitant and only three per cent of
Canadians report having the correct number of
vaccines for their age/risk group.,
“Vaccinations are one of the best ways to protect
yourself and your community against diseases,
which is why it’s more important than ever to arm
yourself with accurate information about adult
vaccines,” says Victor Wong, Shoppers Drug Mar t
pharmacist. “Having a chat with your pharmacist
is a great place to start. They provide informed
advice and can save you time by administering a
number of vaccines at your local pharmacy.”
Vaccination is important at every stage of life.
Some common vaccinations adults should con-

sider getting at the pharmacy are for: pneumo-

coccal disease, shingles and HPV. Pharmacists

in Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and

Prince Edward Island can prescribe and

administer adult vaccinations, and in most

provinces, pharmacists can administer vaccines

on the spot when you drop off a prescription or

do your shopping.

MYTH 1: VACCINES RESULT IN SICKENING SIDE EFFECTS: In a Health Canada survey, 37 per

cent of Canadians believed a vaccine can cause the same disease it was meant to prevent.

BUSTED: Vaccines cannot make you sick and you cannot contract the disease from the

vaccine. In fact, most vaccines do not contain a live virus, and in vaccines that do, the virus

is severely weakened so it can trigger an immune response, but not cause any illness.

MYTH 2: VACCINES ARE ‘ONE AND DONE’: It’s a common misconception that childhood

vaccinations last a lifetime and there’s no need for booster shots as an adult.

BUSTED: Protection from previous vaccinations can diminish with age, so it’s important

to receive “booster” doses of some vaccines including those for tetanus and diphtheria.

MYTH 3: IT’S ALL ABOUT ME: Some people think the decision to stay un-vaccinated only

impacts themselves.

BUSTED: Herd immunity is an important factor in containing the spread of disease to higher

risk groups like babies, children, pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses. By

keeping up to date with vaccines, adults act as barriers to outbreaks and prevent disease

spreading to those who are at higher risk.

Misinformation is a key contributor to vaccine hesitancy, so Victor Wong is setting the

record straight about common vaccination myths:

VACCINATION MYTHS BUSTED

BUSTING

"ANTI-VAX"

MYTHS

WHAT

ADULTS

NEED TO

KNOW