Flu fighters: St Albans Pharmacy
Don’t let the flu virus get you this season.
Here in New Zealand, the flu season typically runs from May to October. The colder months bring the usual onslaught of sniffles and sneezes, but for some people, the flu can be deadly.
If you’re looking to get more protection from severe illness, St Albans Pharmacy is one of the few pharmacies that offers sought-after walk-in vaccination appointments. As well as flu, they offer Covid, whooping cough, shingles, and MMR vaccines.
Lovingly described by owner and pharmacist Doug Chapman as the ‘good old-fashioned pharmacy, where everyone knows your name,’ patients are put at ease, knowing they are receiving the best advice and protection from nasty winter ills and chills.
“Those who are at higher risk of serious complications of a flu infection include young children, older people, people who are pregnant, people with chronic health conditions such as diabetes and those who are immunocompromised,” Doug says. With yearly vaccinations underway and carrying on through to June, increasing immunisation coverage is an effective prevention strategy to protect communities from illnesses this winter.
“We can do walk-in flu vaccinations that a lot of pharmacies won’t do, or take bookings over the phone or through the Ministry of Health bookmyvaccine website,” Doug says. For some people, the flu vaccine is free of charge. The team can advise about eligibility for a fully funded vaccination. The pharmacy also offers free local deliveries and free blister packs, making it an essential destination for fighting sickness this winter.
