EDMONTON -- Alberta Health Services public clinics in the Edmonton area are providing free flu shots beginning Monday.
"It's your single best way to be protected from getting the flu this year," said Dr. Chris Sikora, medical officer of health for the Edmonton zone.
According to Alberta Health Services, it takes about two weeks after the vaccine to be fully protected. This year's vaccination protects against 4 different strains of influenza.
Flu shots for children under the age of five must be administered at a public clinic or a doctor's office.
Pharmacies can give the flu vaccine to Albertans older than five years old. Many pharmacies received their supplies earlier in the month and were able to provide the flu shot to people immediately.
"We get immunized for our family, for those around us – for our kids, for our parents, for our grandparents – so that those that have maybe not as good immune systems, they may be protected with the immunization as well, but the less that they're exposed to influenza the better," Dr. Sikora said.
According to AHS, enough vaccine has been ordered to immunize 35 per cent of Albertans, at a cost of $12.5 million.
Last flu season, 30 people died due to influenza and approximately 1.300 Albertans were hospitalized.
