On Monday October 15th, Albertans can get their flu shot. The vaccine will be available free of charge to Albertans 6 months of age and older at Alberta Health Service public immunization clinics. The shot can provide immunization to Albertans 5 years old and older from pharmacists and your family doctor.
In a news release, the acting senior medical officer of health for AHS, Dr. Christopher Sikora says “It’s important to get immunized early in the season. You may be healthy now, but without immunization, everyone is at risk. Prevention is your only protection.”
Because influenza strains differ year to year, it is recommended to get your flu shot each year as you cannot rely on last year’s vaccine to protect you. “Last season, influenza immunization cut Albertans’ risk for influenza by just over 40 per cent,” says Dr. Sikora. “That’s great, but last year’s immunization won’t protect you this season. You need this season’s immunization to be protected this season.”
AHS reports that last flu season, more than 3 thousand Albertans were hospitalized and 92 died. Adding that “influenza causes more emergency department visits than heart attacks and strokes, not to mention significant downtime from work and leisure activities.”
To find clinic schedules you can click on this link.
