Flu shots roll out as virus already spreads in Alberta
CBC
The flu is here and experts are urging Albertans to roll up their sleeves as influenza shots roll out around the province this week.
Alberta launched its flu vaccination program for the general public Monday, making the shots available free of charge to everyone six months of age and older.
"We know that it's here and it's probably going to start pretty hard because this is how it seemed to start in Australia and other parts of the Southern Hemisphere," said Dr. Cora Constantinescu, a Calgary-based infectious disease specialist.
Provincial data show that as of Oct. 1, there were 40 confirmed cases of influenza in the province, with the bulk of them in the Calgary and Edmonton zones.
Ten hospitalizations had been reported at that time, including two ICU admissions.
"Officially the flu season starts when we have a hospitalized case of influenza," said Constantinescu. "So we know if we have a few hospitalized cases there are a lot more out in the community."
The Alberta government has ordered 1.9 million doses of the vaccine, which will be available at pharmacies and some community medical clinics.
Alberta Health Services' immunization clinics will provide flu shots to kids under five and their families, along with people who don't have a provincial health care number.
Experts are keeping a close eye on the the trends.
"It's too early to say if this is higher or lower than expected," said Dr. Karla Gustafson, a medical officer of health in the Calgary zone.
"This year with the anticipation of early flu activity — we're already seeing it — I think [it's] best to get immunized and get that influenza vaccine as early as possible this year."
After disappearing during the early part of the pandemic, influenza reappeared this spring as COVID-related public health measures were lifted, sparking an unusually late 2021-22 flu season.
"Because we really haven't seen a lot of flu for the past few years because of COVID restrictions, people have probably lost some immunity to flu, which might make it a bit worse, " said Dr. Jia Hu, a public health physician who teaches at the University of Calgary.
He's worried about vaccine uptake. Just 27 per cent of Albertans got the flu shot last season.
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