Flu shots now available through house calls by pharmacists

For the first time in Saskatchewan, pharmacists will be able to make house calls to administer publicly-funded flu shots.

Chris Perentes, a pharmacist and owner of Lorne Drugs in Regina, said the change is aimed at reducing the barriers to getting people inoculated.

“There’s a number of people who have great difficulty in leaving their home to go out and get a flu vaccine. And of course, it’s very important to get as many people as possible vaccinated,” Perentes said.

Effective Monday, the province’s drug plan started paying pharmacies a fee for administering shots through the Ministry of Health Influenza Immunization Program.

Vaccines can be delivered at pharmacies, during home visits or congregate living settings.

In the case of Lorne Drugs, Perentes said they’ll be giving flu shots to residents of four seniors’ housing units near downtown Regina.

“Up until this year, we were only allowed to do flu vaccine injections in the pharmacy setting. They’ve expanded what we can do,” he said.

Eligible patients include Saskatchewan residents aged five years or older with a valid health card.

Perentes said they just need to call their pharmacist to arrange a house call.