The province is reminding Albertans to get immunized “promptly” in the wake of five influenza-related deaths.
Last week, Alberta Health Services confirmed five deaths – two in the Calgary zone and three in the Edmonton zone – of individuals with influenza. These were the first deaths reported in the 2015-16 flu season.
The patients ranged in age from under 18 to older than 65. In all cases, the patients were not fully immunized. One patient, a child, had received one of the two doses required for children under nine years old receiving the vaccine for the first time this season.
Seasonal influenza is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs caused by an airborne virus. The most common symptoms are headaches, chills, extreme tiredness, muscle soreness, high fever and cough.
“Getting immunized is the only way to protect yourself from getting influenza. And certainly we know that anybody, no matter their age is at risk of severe illness and death from influenza and that’s we want people to get immunized,” said Shannon Evans, a spokesperson for AHS.
While most recover after getting sick, the virus can be deadly, especially for children, adults older than 65 and individuals with compromised immune systems, who are all more susceptible to severe illness. Every year the virus kills about 3,500 Canadians.
One of the deceased was between 18 and 64 years of age.
Immunization also helps prevent the spread of the virus and helps protect more vulnerable segments of the population.
“On a population level, the more people who are immunized, the fewer severe cases and the fewer deaths,” said Evans.
Alberta ordered more than two million doses of influenza vaccine this season. Only half have been administered so far.
In the Edmonton zone, only 345,245 doses were administered compared to 398,946 in 2014. There have been 84 confirmed cases of influenza and 27 hospitalizations.
Evans said it is hard to compare year-over-year influenza data, since each flu season is different. Looking at the number of cases – 283 province-wide in 2015 compared to 3,564 in 2014 – it is safe to say this season has had a slow start.
But week-over-week increases in hospitalizations indicate that it is ramping up, which is why the province wants Albertans to protect themselves without delay.
Influenza vaccinations are offered for free through AHS, as well as at many pharmacies around St. Albert. To find immunization clinic schedules, visit http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/influ/default.aspx or call Health Link at 811.
