Varsity Lab Services

RSV VACCINE (Arexvy)

Are you 60 years old or older? If yes, did you know that Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) can pose a significant threat to your well-being? RSV is a common viral infection that can have severe consequences, especially for older adults. Discover how the RSV vaccine can be a crucial defense against this contagious and potentially harmful virus.

Adults at highest risk for severe RSV infection include:

• Older adults
• Adults with chronic heart or lung disease
• Adults with weakened immune systems
• Adults with certain other underlying medical conditions
• Adults living in nursing homes or long-term care facilities

What is RSV?

RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a common, contagious virus that affects the lungs and respiratory airways. The virus can affect all ages, but the impact of RSV in older adults is significant. RSV caused an estimated 470,000 hospitalizations and 33,000 deaths in those aged 60 years and above in high-income countries in 2019.

What is the RSV Vaccine?

The RSV vaccine, (called Arexvy), is an innovative immunization designed to protect against the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). RSV is a common viral infection that can lead to severe respiratory illness, especially in young children and older adults. Arexvy is a monoclonal antibody, not a traditional vaccine, and it works by providing passive immunity to RSV. Arexvy plays a crucial role in safeguarding the health of vulnerable populations who are at a higher risk of RSV-related complications. It is an essential tool in the ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of this contagious virus.

Who Should get the RSV Vaccine?

The RSV vaccine is currently available to patients 60 years and older in Canada. The vaccine was approved by Health Canada this year. We expect that both the efficacy and age restrictions of the vaccine will be revised with more data provided to Health Canada but for the moment is restricted to patients over 60.

Booking your Vaccination

If you would like to book your vaccination now, please click on the button below. If you would like more information regarding the RSV vaccine please call our office at 587.329.8279 to book an appointment with your family doctor that will answer any questions that you may have.

Cost of the RSV Vaccine

The cost of the RSV vaccine is not covered by Alberta Health Services. Pharmacies are currently charging $295.00. Varsity Lab Services’ price is $275.00. A medical receipt will be issued for tax purposes and/or for anyone that has extended health benefits.

$275.00

(collected at time of appointment)

Varsity Lab Services can collect the majority of tests specified on the Alberta Precision Laboratories (APL) General Requistion. However, some tests CANNOT be collected due to time sensitivity or other logistical challenges.

The following tests CANNOT be collected by Varsity Lab Services. Appointments for any of the following tests will be rejected and may be subject to cancellation fees:

Blood:

• Aldosterone
• D-Dimer
• Epstein Barr Serology Panel
• Fibrogen
• Genetic Screening
• Glucose Tolerance, Gestational, 2 Hr
• HCG, Qualitative
• Hemoglobinopathy Investigation Panel
• HIV
• Homocysteine
• INR
• Lactate or Lactose Tolerance
• Prenatal Screen, Initial Prenatal Screen (to be done at Dynalife in conjunction with ultrasound)
• PTT
• Renin or Renin/Aldosterone Ratio
• Transfusion Medicine
• Vitamin A, C, or Zinc

Urine/Blood:

• MMA

Urine:

• Any 24 hr Urine Test

Stool:

• FIT (can only get sample containers from APL)
• H Pylori

Any tests written in Additional Tests, please contact the clinic to verify.

$10.00

(collected at time of appointment)

What is an Electrocardiogram?

An electrocardiogram, commonly known as an ECG or EKG, records how your heart is functioning by measuring its electrical activity through the placement of small sensors on the chest, arms and lower legs. By measuring the rate and regularity of heartbeats, it can show an abnormal heartbeat, the presence of any damage or enlargement of the heart muscle. An ECG can also show if your heart isn’t getting enough oxygen and the effects of drugs or regulating devices. The test is quick, safe and painless.

When is the test ordered?

Your doctor may suggest you have an ECG for a variety of reasons including to:

• do a routine annual check of your heart
• monitor your heart rhythm
• show electrical changes in your heart and if oxygen has been reduced
• diagnose a heart attack or other conditions
• monitor abnormal heart structure such as a thickened heart muscle

How is the test performed?

Sensors are attached to your legs, arms and chest area for 5-15 minutes.

How much does it cost?

ECGs are covered by Alberta Health Services.

When will I get results?

Results are available healthcare providers within 3-5 days.

THIS IS A FREE SERVICE TO OUR PATIENTS.

Take the Guesswork Out of Your Diet

Food sensitivity is not a disease but may play a role in causing disease or worsening certain symptoms. Symptoms associated with food sensitivities develop slowly over time and can create inflammation. The RMA FST™ IgG Food Sensitivity Test can help identify potential food sensitivities and take the guess work out of your diet

There is a growing body of evidence to support the clinical benefits of eliminating IgG reactive foods from the diet.

In an IgG reaction, the IgG antibodies bind to food antigens creating antibody-antigen complexes. These complexes are normally removed by immune system cells called macrophages. However, if complexes are present in large numbers and the reactive food is still being consumed, the macrophages can’t remove them quickly enough. The food antigen-antibody complexes accumulate and can be deposited in body tissues. Once in tissues, these complexes can trigger inflammation, which may be responsible for a wide variety of symptoms.

Test overview

The RMA FST™ IgG Food Sensitivity test has three different options for testing IgG antibodies

• RMA FST™ Enhanced:
  Our most comprehensive panel, the Enhanced panel tests for 222 different foods, including 80+ foods not available in the Basic panel. This panel is especially popular with patients who eat less meat, wheat and refined sugar. This panel has the potential to identify more foods that the patient may be intolerant to; thereby providing you more robust information.

$399.00

• RMA FST™ Vegetarian:
  Tests over 160 different foods including all of the vegetarian foods offered in the Enhanced panel, as well as dairy and eggs, but excluding fish/seafood and meat.

$349.00

• RMA FST™ Basic:
  The Basic panel reports on 125 foods, including the most common food sensitivities in all categories: milk (cow, goat and sheep), eggs, corn and wheat.

$299.00

Antibody levels are measured via an ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) microarray method. For an ELISA test, food antigens must first be chemically bonded to a site within a gel pad. Each of these sites has the antigens of one specific food. More than 220 foods can be tested on a single gel pad for any given patient. A measured amount of the patient’s blood serum is placed on the pad and then treated with a series of chemical solutions. Eventually a colour develops at each site and the intensity of the color is measured by a high-resolution scanner. The intensity of the colour is proportionate to the amount of antibody in the blood specific to that food antigen.