Flu vaccine still available

By Janet Kanters Times Editor

It’s not too late to get a flu shot, and with this year seeing particularly high rates of flu in the Calgary region, it’s better late than never.
Influenza lowers the body’s ability to fight other infections. It can lead to bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, and even death, especially in the elderly, children (six to 59 months), pregnant women, Indigenous people and people with chronic medical conditions.
According to Gord Morck, pharmacist and owner of Value Drug Mart in Strathmore, it’s important to get the flu shot, especially this year.
“Calgary seems to be a focus of the flu outbreak this year,” he said. “There have been more cases and more serious cases and more deaths in the Calgary region, and we’re part of the Calgary region. So, it’s important to protect yourself with the flu vaccine.”
As of Jan. 3, Alberta Health Services reports there are 1,870 lab-confirmed cases of influenza A in the Calgary zone, the highest amongst all of the province’s zones. Seven people in the Calgary zone have died from the flu.
For the 2018-19 season, Alberta offers a four-strain injectable influenza vaccine for Albertans six months of age or older. For this flu season, 1.6 million doses of vaccine were ordered by the province at a cost of $12.6 million, enough to immunize 35 per cent of the population.
The flu vaccine is available to Albertans six months of age and older, free of charge, at public health clinics and doctors’ offices. Pharmacies can also administer the vaccine to Albertans five years of age and older. The flu vaccine is available until April.