Flu clinics open Monday

The flu is back and Alberta Health Services is urging people to get their shots early.

Free flu shots are available at the Legion Memorial Ball Park Clubhouse on Sturgeon Road starting Monday.

This year, the goal is to have 45 per cent of Albertans vaccinated for influenza.

“For the past couple years, we’ve only got up to around 30 per cent of the population that took advantage of the influenza immunization,” said Dr. Marcia Johnson, medical officer of health for the Edmonton zone.

“It’s a pretty ambitious target, but there is definitely enough vaccine to meet it.”

The province has ordered more than two million doses of vaccine this year to meet demand.

Both Alberta Health Services and the Alberta Medical Association (AMA) have also launched campaigns to increase voluntary immunization rates amongst health care providers. The goal is 80 per cent.

As part of the medical association campaign, doctors who have received their flu shot are asked to wear a button that says, "This Doc got the Shot.”

“Long-term care centre workers have seen the horrible effects of influenza every winter and many of them have reached that target in the past,” Johnson said. “Our general health care workers have not and we really need to work to get that up.”

Last season, 30 Albertans died and 1,200 were hospitalized due to influenza.

Influenza is already circulating at a low level in the Edmonton region, Johnson said.

“In Edmonton, we have already recognized two influenza outbreaks in our seniors homes (in the last month), and that’s early. We’re definitely not in the full blown season yet, that is yet to come.”

Flu vaccines – both the injectable and nasal spray (FluMist) – are offered for free to all Albertans six months of age and older.

Since strains change from season to season, officials are reminding Albertans they cannot rely on having been immunized in previous years.

“It’s pretty simple: to be protected this season, you need to be immunized this season. Without immunization, you are at risk,” said Dr. Chris Sikora, also a medical officer of health.

Vaccines this year will protect against two strains of Influenza A (H1N1 and H3N2) and one strain of Influenza B. The predominant flu strain last season was H1N1.

“Albertans should think of influenza immunization as their armour against an invading enemy,” Sikora said. “Be battle ready. Arm yourself against influenza by getting immunized before it arrives.”

There is a higher risk of getting complications from influenza for infants, children between six months and five years of age, people aged 65 and older and anyone at any age with chronic health problems.

Pregnant women should also get vaccinated particularly towards the end of pregnancy, added Johnson.