(Lethbridge News Now)

By Sheldon Spackman

Preventative Measures

Alberta Health Services to launch flu shot clinics week of Oct. 21

Oct 11, 2019 | 3:52 PM

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has announced that Influenza Immunization Clinics this season will start the week of October 21.

Officials say the flu vaccine will be offered free of charge to all Albertans six months of age and older, but children less than 5 years of age must be immunized at an AHS Clinic or physician’s office.

Influenza is described as a respiratory virus that can cause serious illness and death, particularly in vulnerable groups like seniors, young children, pregnant women and those with chronic health conditions.

In Red Deer, the first flu clinic will take place Oct. 22 at the Westerner Park Harvest Centre Marquis Room from 12:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Additional clinics at that location will also take place on Oct. 23, 24 and 26.

The Westerner Park Chalet will also host an influenza clinic on Oct. 28 from 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

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Other Red Deer flu clinics will take place Nov. 2 and 30 at Red Deer First Christian Reformed Church from 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Nov. 6 and 7 at Kentwood Alliance Church from 12:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. and Golden Circle Senior Centre Nov. 5 from 12:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

To find out when influenza immunization will be available in your area, Albertans are encouraged to check with your doctor’s office or community pharmacy, call Health Link at 811, or for AHS immunization clinics at www.ahs.ca/influenza.

As there are many strains of influenza, officials say each year the vaccine is formulated to protect against the strains expected to cause the most illness in Canada, based on advice from the World Health Organization about which strains are circulating elsewhere in the world.

Alberta is said to offer a four-strain, injectable influenza vaccine produced by two manufacturers (Fluzone and FluLaval Tetra).

According to officials, enough vaccine has been ordered to immunize 35 per cent of the population at a cost of approximately $12.5 million this season.

Health Minister Tyler Shandro and Chief Medical Officer of Health Deena Hinshaw received their influenza immunization from pharmacist Anar Sulemon at Southport Pharmacy in Calgary on Friday.

“Getting your flu shot is one of the best things you can do to protect your own health and that of your community; and it’s never been easier,” said Tyler Shandro, Minister of Health, in a press release. “I encourage all Albertans to join me in getting immunized this season by visiting their local pharmacy or doctor’s office, or an AHS public clinic.”

Darren Erickson, president, Alberta Pharmacists Association, added that over the past 10 years, Alberta pharmacists have become the single largest provider of influenza vaccine to Albertans.

“As front- line health-care providers, one of our primary roles is to help people stay healthy,” said Erickson. “Vaccination protects the most vulnerable people in our communities and decreases costly emergency room visits and hospitalizations; it’s another way pharmacists help keep Albertans healthy.”

According to AHS, Alberta’s immunization rate was 31 per cent in 2018-2019 (1,317,659 doses of vaccine administered), up from 29 per cent in 2017-18.

In the Central Zone, there were 116,762 doses of vaccine administered.

AHS reveals 7,698 lab-confirmed cases of influenza in Alberta last year, compared to 9,609 cases in 2017-18.

In the Central Zone, there were 758 cases in 2018-2019.

Officials also point-out 52 flu-related deaths among hospitalized patients in Alberta last year, compared to 92 deaths in 2017-18.

In the AHS Central Zone, there were nine flu-related deaths in 2018-2019.