Flu Shot in Toronto

[cincinnatus]

I'm planning a Toronto trip and I wanna get a flu shot somewhere in Toront while at it. I usually get a flu shot at around this time in the U.S. Unfortunately, it's not possible this year because the bureaucrats have screwed up.

Where do people usually go to get flu shots? Are they administered by drug stores or supermarkets as in the U.S.? If so, does anyone know which such stores offer "flu clinics," as they're known in the U.S.? How much do they cost?

I've taken flu shots every year for the last 5 years or so. As a result, I never caught a flu. I'd like my flu-free streak to continue by getting one in Toronto.

 

[Meesh]

At this time, most medical facilities require proof of residency.

At least according to news reports.

 

[RayFinkel]

You do not need a Flu shot just wash your hands 5 to 10 times a day and you`ll be fine.

 

[Meesh]

Right...let's see...

Mucho dinero spent on research by some of the finest minds vs. rayfinkel's handy-dandy advice.

Hmm...let me think on this...

 

[shack]

I'm with ray on this one.

There are so many strains of flu, how do they know which one to innoculate you with? I believe they guessed wrong last year and a different strain was dominant from the one they delivered. I wonder how many less hearty people (infants&elderly) were exposed to and had a possibly life threatening reaction to a virus that ended up not being a risk.

I'm not sure if the risk/benefit equation warrants its almost universal administration. Tough call.

 

[amazing age]

Stay away from those 'flu shots. At best they are useless, at worst, they cripple your own immune system by depriving it of the chance to do its job. Believe me, when the influenza epidemic comes, the first to go will be those who wrecked their immune systems for the sake of the vaccine industry. And no, I'm not a doctor: I was never conformist enough to get into medical school. But I have had close friends who were sick for many months following flu shots.

 

[Why Not?]

Where do people usually go to get flu shots? Are they administered by drug stores or supermarkets as in the U.S.? If so, does anyone know which such stores offer "flu clinics," as they're known in the U.S.? How much do they cost?

The city of Toronto and the pharmacists association both plan a huge number of flu shot clinics. I don't know about here in Ontario but in BC they are letting Americans have the shots. Some clinics are charging a modest fee for it. You can find out where the Toronto clincs are at these two websites.

http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/health/flu.htm
and
http://www.cacds.com/en/JointPaPh/Flu/FluClinics.htm

 

[cincinnatus]

For those taking flu shots at Shopper Drug Marts or Pharma Plus, do you know if they ask for ID's or residency proof? I'm from the U.S. but I visit Toronto quite often. I know that the Province has insturcted doctors not to administer flu shots to nonresidents. But I'm wondering if this applies to flu clinics at pharmacies, too. In the U.S., flu shots were available to all before this year as long as you paid $25. You just had to sign a waiver for nonlitigation and allergy conditions.

 

[cincinnatus]

That's cuz there aren't enough for everyone. Trust me, I took flu shots for 5 staright years and didn't even catch nary a cold during that period. In fact, didn't even have a sore throat for 5 years. Before that, on average, I caught 2-3 colds and a flu every 2 years. Flu shots come in handy for most people, i.e., most people that are not allergic to the flu vaccine. It may not work for those who're allergic to eggs.

So whoever pooh poohs the power of the fluc vaccine doesn't know what he's talking about. To those that are not allergic to the vaccine, it's a godsend. That's why I"m even willing to travel to Toronto for a flu shot.

 

[shack]

It may not work for those who're allergic to eggs.

Please show the ladies some respect and refer to them as escorts or SP's.

 

[fromtoronto]

Flu shots are had by anyone who walks into a clinic. If you have a health card, its done, no health card, they want a $30 deposit and returned when you show health card next time. So as a US resident , you may pay the $30 .. but better than in the US where you line up for hours I suppose.

 

[RogerRabbit]

good news for our american friends:

http://money.cnn.com/2004/12/06/news/fortune500/americsourcebergen.reut/index.htm

 

[Esco!]

good news for our american friends:

http://money.cnn.com/2004/12/06/news/fortune500/americsourcebergen.reut/index.htm

Ah yes, finally we get to make some money from the americans

 

[banshie]

I'm all for flu shots. I'd like everybody else to have one. Then I won't need one!

 

[RogerRabbit]

www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1102428747981_13/?hub=Canada

'Luckily, the American flu season is off to a slow start, without report of a widespread outbreak yet.


According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, approximately 98 million people, including nine million children, need the vaccine. So far this season, about 61 million doses have been made available to Americans.'

They are short 37 million doses!