Your COVID Shot at Flu Shot Clinics in Calgary

After you have contracted a COVID-19 infection, you might wonder when you can get your first vaccine, a second dose, or a booster shot to better protect yourself from getting it again–which occurs more frequently than you think. Although some may believe that you’re immune to COVID-19 after fully recovering from it, such immunity is fleeting and will only give you an extra layer of protection for a few weeks to a couple of months at a time. To completely secure yourself from getting infected by COVID again, you should consider getting better protected by receiving a COVID vaccine and booster dose, but how long should you wait before getting the vaccine?

Find out everything you need to know about getting a vaccine from your local flu shot clinics in Calgary after your COVID infection recovery and the plethora of benefits from the vaccines and boosters.

Why you still need a vaccine after COVID recovery

After you have been infected with COVID and have fully recovered, there is a short period where you receive better immunity from contracting the infection again. This period of time only lasts a mere few weeks to a couple months before you’re liable to get COVID again. Because COVID infections are surging during periods of the year, and new variants begin to emerge, it is important to keep up with your COVID vaccinations to make sure you’re thoroughly protected from it. Every time you get reinfected with COVID, your chances of experiencing complications deriving from the infection, such as high blood pressure and chronic headaches, begins to increase, which can be avoided when getting your vaccines.

How long does immunity from COVID last?

Generally, immunity from COVID after you’ve been infected depends on certain factors, such as age and whether or not the individual infected already has a weakened immune system. But typically, immunity after COVID can last upwards of three months before it will wane, and you’ll become more at risk of contact with the infection again. For variants like some of the Omnicron sub-variants, immunity only extends to 30 days. The best way to receive well-rounded and long-lasting immunity from the virus is to obtain all your vaccines from your local flu shot clinics in Calgary.

How long should you wait to get vaccinated after recovery

Waiting times to get your vaccinations after you recover from COVID will ultimately vary from person to person. It remains a general point to wait until you’re fully recovered from COVID, your isolation period has ceased, and you’re no longer contagious to get a vaccination or booster. Other experts maintain that you should wait three months from when you recover to get the vaccine to receive the optimal immunity response. Though if your immune system is weakened or you are at an advanced age, it is best to get the COVID vaccine as soon as you fully recover.

Benefits

The benefits of getting the COVID vaccine are plenty as you can increase your chances of not getting any breakthrough infections, lower your risk of serious disease that stems from a COVID-19 infection, and you can do your part to halt the spread of a contagious virus such as COVID.

Springborough Pharmasave is your health professionals committed to serving the Springborough community. Our pharmacy in SW Calgary will provide you with all the important services you need for your health, including healthcare advice and medical products. All our programs and services will be tailored to the needs of our consumers. We offer vaccinations, flu shots, breast pump rentals, and can act as your travel clinic in Calgary. Giving back to the community is a core value at Pharmasave, and we are proud of our work to help the Springborough community. Visit us at 104-30 Springborough Blvd, Southwest Calgary or call us on (403) 453-6113.

Nearly a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada began approving vaccines for use in Canada. Now, we have several options to choose from when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccines.

Let’s take a look at which ones are available in Canada.

The Four Types of COVID Vaccines in Canada

Pfizer-BioNTech

The first vaccine approved for Canadian consumption was Pfizer-BioNTech. Clinical studies have shown that one week after the second shot, the vaccine is:

95% effective in protecting trial participants 16 years and older against COVID-19
100% effective in trial participants that are 12 to 15 years of age

This vaccine requires two doses, meaning Canadians will have to return for a follow-up appointment to get their second shot.

Health Canada has approved this vaccine for anyone over the age of twelve. The safety and effectiveness in people younger than this have yet to be determined.

Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)

Also known as the J&J vaccine, this option was approved by Health Canada in March of 2021. It has proven to be 66% effective against COVID-19 once two weeks have passed from the time of the injection.

The Janssen vaccine only requires one dose, meaning those selected to receive this vaccine only need to make one appointment.

This vaccine is allowed to be given to people 18 years of age or older. The safety and effectiveness in people younger than this have yet to be established.

AstraZeneca

Health Canada authorized the AstraZeneca vaccine in February of 2021. This vaccine has an effectiveness rate of 62% against COVID-19 once two weeks have passed from the time the second dose was administered.

Two doses are required for maximum effectiveness, so those Canadians who receive AstraZeneca will need to make a follow-up appointment to receive their second shot.

Mother taking care of baby with chicken pox

This vaccine has been approved for those 18 years of age and older. The safety and effectiveness in people younger than this have yet to be confirmed.

Moderna

Moderna was the second COVID-19 vaccine to be approved by Canada Health back in December of 2020. It has proven to be 94.1% effective two weeks after the second dose is given.

This vaccine is most effective after two doses, so a follow-up appointment will need to be made to receive your second shot.

Moderna has been approved for those 18 years of age and older. The safety and effectiveness in people younger than 18 have yet to be determined.

Canada Health recommends taking whichever vaccine becomes available to you first. However, your doctor may suggest a specific type of vaccine for you.

Springborough Pharmasave is your health professionals committed to serving the Springborough community. Our pharmacy in SW Calgary provides you with all you need for your health, including healthcare advice and medical products. We offer vaccinations, flu shots, breast pump rentals, and can act as your travel clinic in Calgary. Giving back to the community is a core value at Pharmasave. Further, we are proud of our work to help the Springborough community. Visit us at 104-30 Springborough Blvd, Southwest Calgary, or call us at (403) 453-6113.