Rexall Pharma Plus to Offer Flu Shots at all Ontario Locations

Ontarians to have access to flu shots at every Rexall Pharma Plus pharmacy, any time, no appointment needed

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct. 22, 2012 /CNW/ - Today, Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthews received her flu shot from a Rexall Pharma Plus pharmacist, kicking off the annual Ontario flu vaccination campaign.

"Getting a flu shot for Ontarians will be as easy as visiting any Rexall Pharma Plus pharmacy," said Frank Scorpiniti, the CEO of Rexall Pharma Plus. "With over 250 locations and 700 certified pharmacists in Ontario, Rexall Pharma Plus makes it easy to receive flu shots any time, any day, no appointment needed."

As Ontarians gear up for another flu season, they are also ready to embrace this new offering. A recent surveyⁱ commissioned by Rexall Pharma Plus found that 69 per cent of Ontarians say that they would be equally or more likely to get a flu shot at a local pharmacy if they could.

"Today's announcement highlights the value community pharmacy brings to improving convenient access to health care for Canadians," added Scorpiniti. "The flu immunization program is an example of collaboration between community pharmacy and government, resulting in improved access, healthier communities, and overall health care cost mitigation."

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, the flu affects 5 to 10 per cent of Canadians each year. While the majority who become sick do recover, the flu results in an average of 20,000 hospitalizations and 4,000 to 8,000 deaths in Canada each year.ⁱⁱ Getting the flu shot early can help yourself and those around you stay healthy.

Rexall Pharma Plus will offer flu shots in any store, any time, no appointment needed across Ontario when the flu vaccine becomes available from Public Health Ontario. Flu shots in pharmacies are available to all Ontarians over the age of five years old. Visit Rexall.ca for your nearest Rexall Pharma Plus location.

The number one preventative measure against the flu is the flu shot.ⁱⁱ Rexall Pharma Plus also supports Public Health Agency of Canada's other simple steps to prevent the spread of the flu virus:

• Wash your hands frequently. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds to help remove bacteria and viruses. Wash before and after eating, after you have been in a public place, after using the washroom, after coughing and sneezing, and after touching surfaces that may have been contaminated. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer is also effective in killing viruses.ⁱⁱⁱ
• Keep your hands away from your face. In most cases, the flu virus enters the body through the eyes, nose or mouth.ⁱⁱⁱ
• Cough and sneeze into your arm, not your hand. If you use a tissue, dispose of it as soon as possible and wash your hands.ⁱⁱⁱ
• Keep common surface areas clean and disinfected. Doorknobs, light switches, telephones, keyboards and other surfaces can become contaminated with all kinds of bacteria and viruses. Regular cleaning and disinfecting of these surfaces with regular household disinfectants can help. Viruses can live on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours.ⁱⁱⁱ
• If you get sick, stay home. If you think you have the flu, you should stay home until your symptoms are gone. If your symptoms get worse, call your health care provider.ⁱⁱⁱ

About Rexall Pharma Plus
With a heritage dating back to 1904, Rexall Pharma Plus pharmacies are among the most trusted names in retail pharmacy. Rexall Pharma Plus is focused on helping Canadians feel good about their health through easy access to a wide assortment of health and wellness services and products. Supported by our team of 8,600 employees in more than 420 Rexall Pharma Plus pharmacies across the country, Rexall Pharma Plus is continually evolving to enhance the customer experience. For more information visit Rexall.ca

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i} From October 15^th to October 16^th, 2012 an online survey was conducted among 1,031 randomly selected Canadian adults who are also Angus Reid Forum panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to age, gender, region, education and language (in Quebec) to ensure a sample representative. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Anya Kravets.

ⁱⁱ Public Health Agency of Canada. Influenza Immunization - "the flu shot". http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/im/iif-vcg/index-eng.php. Last accessed October 21, 2012.

ⁱⁱⁱ Public Health Agency of Canada. Flu Prevention Checklist. http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/influenza/flupc-eng.php. Last accessed October 21, 2012.

SOURCE: Rexall

For further information:

Michelle Lee 
Rexall Pharma Plus
P: 905.501.7894 M: 647-338-4340 
[e-mail] 

Anya Kravets
Edelman
P: 416.849.1549
[e-mail]