London Drugs to donate UNICEF Canada vaccination for every flu shot given

RICHMOND, British Columbia - Customers who receive their 2016/2017 influenza vaccination at London Drugs will now play an active role in helping to protect tens of thousands of the world's most vulnerable children from vaccine-preventable diseases, the Canadian retailer announced Monday. Through a new partnership with I Boost Immunity, a Canadian-based online immunization advocacy network, for every flu shot administered at London Drugs this year, a vaccine will be donated to UNICEF Canada to immunize children in a developing country.



"By getting the flu shot you already help protect the most vulnerable people in your own community from potentially life-threatening illness including the very young, the elderly and the immunocompromised," stated John Tse, VP pharmacy at London Drugs. "This partnership with IBI in support of UNICEF Canada allows our customers to make a global impact, providing life-saving vaccinations to children worldwide while taking care of their own health needs."



According to UNICEF, 19.4 million children missed out on basic vaccines needed to stay healthy last year. Almost one third of deaths among children under five are preventable by vaccines.



Tse says that the potential to save a child's life with the simple act of getting the flu shot is added motivation to get vaccinated. "Our customers have the opportunity to be global change makers simply by protecting themselves and their families against the flu this year," he said.



For each flu vaccination administered at any of London Drugs 78 pharmacy locations, I Boost Immunity will provide a tetanus, polio or measles vaccine to UNICEF Canada to vaccinate marginalized children at risk of deadly illnesses.



"Partnering with London Drugs is one of the many ways we hope to increase awareness about the importance of getting vaccinated and to improve immunization rates both here in Canada and across the globe," added Michael Barnes, executive director of the Public Health Association of BC. "Diseases cross local and national boundaries. That means that vaccinating anyone, anywhere in the world, benefits all of us."