Pharmacists will be able to administer 13 different vaccines as of December 15th

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With holiday travel season approaching, the province is making it easier for people to protect themselves before jetting off to a tropical destination.

As of December 15th, you’ll be able to get your travel shots, and other vaccinations at your local pharmacy.

“Pharmacists across Ontario will be able to administer common travel vaccines, in fact 13 different vaccines in total.”

The move was applauded by Ontario pharmacists who are looking forward to the ability to immunize their customers.

“After clean water vaccinations are the next greatest contributer to good health world wide.”

Pharmacists already give the flu shot to their customers, but now that they can administer 13 more vaccines, it could make wait times at doctor’s offices shorter.

“Now the people who really need a doctor for flu, pneumonia, something serious, they won’t have to wait that long because someone is getting a needle when they can get it at Shoppers.”

The list includes vaccines for hepatitis A and B, typhoid, rabies, HPV and shingles for anyone over the age of five.

For many of the shots, you’ll still need a prescription before you see a needle.

“Certainly after that prescription from your doctor or nurse practitioners, the pharmacist will be able to do the rest.”

But you’ll pay for that convenience. Some of those vaccines are free if administered by a doctor, but patients will have to pay for them at the pharmacy.

People said getting shots at the pharmacy would be a lot easier, because pharmacies have better hours than doctors offices, and they’re open later, and on weekends.