Alberta Health Services’ (AHS) influenza immunization program is set to launch Monday, October 23, throughout the province.
The vaccine will be available to Albertans aged six months and older, through AHS public influenza immunization clinics, along with a number of pharmacies and doctors’ offices.
AHS said immunization is the most effective means of protecting against the different strains of the virus that circulate each season.
“We have seen cases and outbreaks of influenza already,” Dr. Christopher Sikora, AHS Medical Officer of Health for the Edmonton Zone said in a statement. “You may be healthy now but, without immunization, everyone is at risk.”
Over six months during the last flu season, AHS said more than 1,600 Albertans were hospitalized, and 64 died. AHS said influenza caused more ER visits than heart attacks and strokes.
More details on influenza immunization can be found online, or by calling Health Link at 811.
