AS THIS COLD AND FLU SEASON TAKES AN UNEXPECTED TURN AND SOCIETY ADAPTS TO COVID-19’S ROLE IN THE WINTER SEASON, VACCINES ARE A TOOL TO COMBAT THEIR IMPACTS
As the snowflakes blanket campus and classes are back in session, students begin to feel shivers—not just from the chilly weather, but also from illness. While the cold and flu season is familiar to many, COVID-19 is becoming a seasonal reality that everyone must live with during the dry and cold conditions of winter. To protect ourselves from these annual circumstances, students can opt to receive their vaccines.
Protecting oneself through the use of vaccines is a great way to decrease the likelihood of getting sick. The winter has conditions that contribute to the thriving of illness, including reduced sunlight, close contact in the classroom, and the impact of stress on the immune system can make illness boom.
Unlike many past, more predictable flu seasons, this year has been more intense. The new strain of flu has been hitting communities hard this year, leading to Alberta being on track to experiencing possibly the deadliest flu season on record. Although the current vaccine is not designed for the new strain, medical experts have noted that it is still beneficial for your health to receive the vaccine.
Vaccines can assist in your wellbeing, as well as the strained Canadian health care system. Dr. Virginia Roth, the Chief of Staff at The Ottawa Hospital stated that “We are facing higher volumes than usual and it is before respiratory season”. Vaccines are a way to combat over capacity of hospitals and therefore, support health care workers in the increasingly overwhelmed healthcare system. Specifically in Ottawa, this issue is incredibly relevant as it has been reported that wait times at the Queensway Carleton Hospital reached over 12 hours in January 2025, as well as patients waiting for care in a transformed ambulance bay at the General campus of The Ottawa Hospital.
For students to get vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19, there are a few options. Two options are through the uOttawa medical health care services and the Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacy Care Clinic on campus. For those looking for an off-campus choice, pharmacies such as the Loblaw’s Pharmacy, Pharmasave Main Pharmacy and the Rideau Clinic Pharmacy . Students can also utilize the Province of Ontario’s COVID-19 and Flu Vaccine Pharmacy Locations website to filter by location, vaccine availability, hours of pharmacy, and appointment details.
Additionally, it is important for students to take care of themselves after they receive a vaccine because many can experience side effects. After a vaccine, make sure to drink lots of water, rest and take ibuprofen if needed. In addition, your arm may be sore when you receive the vaccine. To remedy this, it can be beneficial to place a cold cloth or ice pack at the place of the injection. As a student, make sure to take a moment to rest and have a break as the recovery from a vaccine and your wellbeing is important.
Overall, receiving the vaccines is an accessible tool to protect oneself against the nasty yet predictable illnesses of the winter season to achieve good health to thrive in one’s day-to-day life. Especially during high-stress times, like assignments and midterms, making sure your health is a priority is key to thriving well in school!
