Immunization urged as flu season begins

By Gillian Slade on October 25, 2017.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com  @MHNGillianSlade

A crowd had gathered to get a flu shot even before the official opening of the first Alberta Health Services (AHS) flu clinic of the season in Medicine Hat on Tuesday.

It is a little early in the season to tell what the severity of the flu season will be this time but there have already been outbreaks in Alberta, said Dr. Lena Derie-Gillespie, medical officer of health in the AHS south zone.

The percentage of Albertans choosing to get the flu shot is still relatively low. Even though the vaccine is not 100 per cent effective it is still worthwhile being vaccinated, said Derie-Gillespie.

“History shows us the power of influenza, she said.

The number of deaths and those hospitalized with laboratory confirmed influenza is not a true reflection of the ravages of the illness, said Derie-Gillespie. Many who get ill are not laboratory tested and go unrecorded. Others are seriously ill, miss work and school and suffer complications for a long time.

All Albertans, aged six months and older, are eligible to receive influenza immunization free of charge.

Only one type of influenza vaccine is being offered free of charge – Fluzone as an injection. The vaccine contains four strains of influenza virus including influenza A Michigan, influenza A Hong Kong, influenza B Brisbane and influenza B Phuket.

FluMist the nasal spray previously available for children between the ages of two and 17 is not available this season through AHS.

For children who may be nervous about needles, Derie-Gillespie says, the approach can make the difference.

“I’m big on modeling behaviour,” she said noting parents can go first and show it is not something to be afraid of.

The influenza vaccine FLUAD, designed to boost the immune response in seniors, will not be available except to seniors living in long-term care or supportive living.

Some pharmacists may choose to offer FluMist and/or FLUAD to Albertans for a fee paid by the patient.

In the 2016/17 flu season Alberta Health purchased 1.6 million doses of influenza vaccine at a cost of $12.7 million. About 27 per cent of Albertans received the flu vaccine. There were 64 deaths from lab-confirmed influenza and 1,653 Albertans were admitted to hospital.

Alberta has purchased 1.6 million doses of flu vaccine for the 2017/18 season, enough to immunize 35 per cent of the population at a cost of $12.1 million.

Though influenza immunization will remain available until March 31, it’s important to get immunized as early in the season as possible, to reduce your risk of illness, advises AHS.

Upcoming flu immunization clinics in Medicine Hat include:

Oct. 25 from 1-6 p.m. Stampede Grounds Cypress Centre, Flu Lapalooza aimed at families.

Other immunization clinics are all at Higdon Hall on the Stampede grounds: Nov. 1, 2-6 p.m., Nov. 4, 9 a.m. to noon, Nov. 14, 2-6 p.m., Nov. 28, 2-6 p.m., Dec. 20, 2-6 p.m. and Jan. 15, 2-6 p.m.

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