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You may find this hard to believe coming from a health editor, but I never got the flu shot until this year. My job doesn’t require me to get one. I don’t work with children or seniors who have weak immune systems and are at high risk for the flu. My other excuse? I’m a bit weary of needles. Actually that’s a bit modest – I’m a fainter. Don’t worry, the irony isn’t lost on me.
           
So when I went into a Shoppers Drug Mart location in Toronto where I was instantly put at ease by pharmacist Victor Wong who greeted me. Dressed in a white lab coat, he brought forth a good balance between a clinical and a warm atmosphere. In fact, he joked that the Angry Birds bandages would be a better choice than the “boring” regular ones. I did warn him about my fall-to-the-floor history with needles, but he was cool and calm, and suggested I raise my feet onto another chair to prevent me from fainting. Armed with my health card number, I quickly filled out a health form and sat back for the needle. It didn’t hurt. I didn’t even flinch. I didn’t watch it happen, mind you. Afterwards, he gave me a bottle of water to drink as we chatted for a few minutes. He made sure I had rested before I stood up.
           
And that was it. I left the store immunized. And I didn’t faint.

Visit a Shoppers Drug Mart location near you that administers the flu shot.
 
 
We spoke with Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacist Victor Wong in this video.