On Thursday, the Shingrix Pharmacy Tour is coming to Richmond, educating residents aged 50 and older about the shingles virus.
The herpes zoster virus, more commonly known as the shingles virus, is also the virus that causes the chickenpox. Over 90 per cent of Canadians have had the chickenpox as a child and as a result, their immune system hides the shingles virus. However, immune systems naturally weaken with age and the risk of developing shingles could reactivate.
Information sessions are scheduled on Thursday, April 12. One is at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Shoppers Drug Mart at 11800 Cambie Rd, while the second is at 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Safeway Pharmacy at 8671 No. 1 Rd.
Visitors will have the opportunity to step inside an Airstream trailer and participate in Shingrix’s virtual reality experience, which includes a simulator that helps participants understand how the shingles virus works.
Approved by Health Canada and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, the Shingrix vaccine is meant to protect adults over the age of 50 from shingles.
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