Flu season has started in Alberta

It’s that time of year again. The leaves have fallen, the temperature is dropping and it’s time to get the flu vaccine.
“We have seen cases and outbreaks of influenza already,” said AHS’s Calgary Zone, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Judy MacDonald in a press release.
“You may be healthy now but, without immunization, everyone is at risk.
“Prevention is your only protection,” she said.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) started their annual influenza immunization program to protect Albertan’s from the disease on Oct. 23.
Through the program, the vaccine is available free of charge at AHS public immunization clinics as well as many pharmacies and doctor’s offices in the region.
The vaccine is available for Albertans six months old and up.
MacDonald said that immunization is the most effective way for people to protect themselves from the flu virus each season.
Due to the fact that he influenza strain changes from season to season, it is important that Albertans get the vaccine each year.
“Last season, influenza immunization cut Albertans’ risk for influenza by just more than 40 per cent,” said MacDonald, “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.”
In the six-months of last year’s flu season, 1,600 people were hospitalized in Alberta because of the flu and 64 Albertans died.
AHS said that influenza is the cause of more emergency hospital visits that heart attacks and stroke.
“Influenza does not discriminate,” said MacDonald.
“Some Albertans are at greater risk of severe complications, no one is naturally immune to influenza,” she said.
Because of this she is strongly urging that all Albertan’s get the flu vaccine this winter.
“Influenza can be one less thing we battle this winter,” she said.
For more information and clinic schedules, go to www.ahs.ca/influenza or call Health Link at 811.