A week after reporting a disturbingly low number of influenza vaccines had been administered during the flu season – and the massive number of confirmed cases putting pressure on the health system, officials said more Albertans are getting their flu shot.
On Wednesday, Alberta Health Services officials told CTV News that as of last weekend, 1,459 influenza cases had been lab-confirmed in Alberta this season – adding 314 cases to numbers released the previous week.
Nearly 600 of those cases so far this season were found in the Edmonton area.
In addition, the number of flu outbreaks in public facilities has also jumped, with 40 province-wide last week, and a total of 57 lab-confirmed outbreaks to schools, long-term care and acute care facilities.
A total of 31 of those outbreaks were in Edmonton.
So far this season, AHS said 465,786 doses of the vaccine had been administered by AHS Public Health province-wide – with 152,668 being given in Edmonton.
Between Jan. 6 and Jan. 12, 3,050 doses were administered in the capital city.
Out of Alberta’s two major cities, fewer Edmontonians have received the flu vaccine, as 165,635 Calgary residents have sought the vaccine so far this season.
However, the reasons behind the difference in numbers isn't clear - but Dr. Marcia Johnson said the numbers AHS has only apply to public clinics, and shots given at doctor's offices and pharmacies aren't counted.
"It could be that many people are also taking advantage of immunizations at pharmacists and physicians offices," AHS Medical Officer of Health Dr. Marcia Johnson said. "Again, we can't quantify that, so it's hard for me to say that more Calgarians are being immunized than Edmontonians."
Last week, AHS officials said Edmonton hospitals were operating at more than 100 percent capacity, not only because of flu cases, but gastro-intestinal infections as well.
Officials also said last week that a number of elective surgeries had been cancelled due to the pressure placed on health facilities by cases of flu and other illnesses.
