not just the flu shot: pharmacists can now provide a wide range of vaccines and services
routine vaccinations can help keep you and your family healthy, and your local guardian, i.d.a. or remedy'srx pharmacist can guide you every step of the way
published nov 04, 2025
3 minute read
3 minute read
whether you’re looking to get specific vaccines, or would simply like to hear more about the vaccines available to you, your pharmacist can help. supplied
this story is sponsored by
guardian, i.d.a and remedy'srx pharmacies
this story was created by content works, postmedia’s commercial content division, on behalf of a client.
pumpkin spice latte in hand, crunchy leaves afoot, and…wait, is that a scratchy throat? the return of seasonal respiratory viruses doesn’t have to ruin the autumn bliss — or worse, make you or someone you love seriously ill.
this time of year has many people thinking about getting their annual flu shot. and while your local guardian, i.d.a. or remedy’srx pharmacy is a trusted and convenient place to get vaccinated against the flu, many canadians are unaware that pharmacists at participating locations can administer a wide range of other vaccines.
akil dhirani, the pharmacist-owner at guardian village square pharmacy in toronto and newly elected board member at the ontario pharmacists association, says the fall is a great time to update your vaccines to help protect you against seasonal respiratory viruses, as well as learn about others that are recommended for various life stages.
“pharmacies can provide a host of vaccines, including rsv, hpv, pneumonia and shingles vaccines — and even some travel vaccines,” says dhirani.
vaccines for all ages and stages
while most canadians are aware of the flu shot due to widespread public health campaigns, pharmacists can educate people on other available vaccines.
sponsored by:
guardian, i.d.a and remedy'srx pharmacies
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for example, the respiratory syncytial virus (rsv) vaccine is indicated for all adults over 60, as well as adults over 50 who meet certain criteria (such as being immunocompromised, or residing in nursing homes).
“for an older adult with underlying conditions, the risks of rsv are significant,” says dhirani. “people can end up in the hospital on a ventilator.” according to the public health agency of canada, 16 per cent of patients over 60 who are hospitalized with rsv require icu care.
dhirani says getting an rsv vaccine also reduces the risk you’ll spread rsv to the young children in your life. in canada, rsv is the most common cause of hospitalization for children under one year old.
the shingles vaccine is another commonly overlooked shot, which is recommended for adults 50 years of age and older or those ages 18 and older with a weakened immune system. in children, exposure to the herpes-zoster virus causes chickenpox, which can lay dormant in cells and reappear in adulthood as shingles — a blistering and painful rash.
in some cases, shingles can damage nerves, leading to persistent nerve pain. “with shingles, even after the infection has healed, the nerve pain (neuralgia) can linger for a very long time, and it can significantly impact one’s quality of life,” says dhirani.
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for adolescents and younger adults, dhirani speaks to the importance of the human papillomavirus virus (hpv) vaccine. hpv is spread through close skin-to-skin contact (often during sexual activity), and infection can cause genital warts and increase the risk of certain cancers. the hpv virus is responsible for 99 per cent of cervical cancer cases.
“this is yet another vaccine, which, when given at the right time, has significant benefits,” says dhirani. the vaccine is indicated for all individuals ages nine to 45. while most unvaccinated, sexually active adults have already been exposed to hpv, the vaccine can still help protect against other strains of the virus.
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just as your local guardian, i.d.a. or remedy’srx pharmacist offers personalized advice on managing your health and prescriptions, they’re also a reassuring source of information on getting vaccines — what’s recommended, when to get vaccinated and what to expect. “we know what medications you’re on, your medical history, and hence we can customize a vaccine regimen suitable for you,” dhirani said.
pharmacists can both prescribe and administer vaccines depending on the province you reside in. dhirani recommends that canadians ask their local pharmacists what vaccines they might benefit from, as well as which ones they can get at their pharmacy without a prescription.
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some guardian, i.d.a. and remedy’srx pharmacies will provide vaccines on a drop-in basis. “a lot of canadians are in the sandwich generation, juggling childcare and care for aging parents. we’re happy to accommodate,” says dhirani. still, dhirani recommends scheduling an appointment to avoid a wait and to ensure vaccines are in stock, especially if multiple family members need vaccines.
whether you’re looking to get specific vaccines, or would simply like to hear more about the vaccines available to you, your pharmacist can help. contact your local guardian, i.d.a. or remedy’srx pharmacy for details on how to make an appointment.
this story was created by healthing content works, healthing.ca’s commercial content division, on behalf of guardian, i.d.a. and remedy’srx pharmacies.
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