Mad dash to the first AHS flu shot clinic

By Gillian Slade on October 17, 2018.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com  @MHNGillianSlade

About 100 people were given flu vaccinations within the first 45 minutes of Alberta Health Services’ initial immunization clinic of the season in Medicine Hat.

“It is really important to come to the early clinics, before the flu takes hold in the community,” said Dr. Lena Derie-Gillespie, medical officer of health in the AHS south zone.

The four-strain injectable influenza vaccine includes two strains of influenza A and two of influenza B, said Derie-Gillespie. It is too early in the flu season to know how good the vaccine match is.

Influenza can be a very serious illness, even for people who are healthy, resulting in hospitalization and even death, said Derie-Gillespie. The H1N1 flu in 2009 was a good example of this.

Illnesses that people often call “flu” really is not flu at all, she said. Flu is a very specific severe respiratory infection. People often confuse cold symptoms with the flu but there is a big difference between the two.

Derie-Gillespie says there is no need to be concerned that you will get ill as a result of getting a flu vaccination.

“This is not a live vaccine, you cannot get ill from it,” she said.

The flu season is taking place and getting a vaccination is one of the ways to protect yourself and others, said Derie-Gillespie.

The vaccine is available free of charge to Albertans six months of age or older and pharmacists can provide the flu shot to Albertans more than five years old.

AHS influenza vaccination clinics in Medicine Hat take place at Higdon Hall, Stampede Grounds:

Oct. 17, 1-6 p.m.

Oct. 24, 1-6 p.m.

Nov. 3, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Nov. 14, 2-6 p.m.

There is one flu vaccination clinic in Ralston at Ralston School on Nov. 8, 2-6 p.m.

In Bow Island there are two AHS clinics in the Provincial Building — Oct. 15, 1-6 p.m. and Nov. 28, 3-6 p.m.

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