Flu season now deadliest on record in Alberta

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on March 4, 2026.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

This flu season has proven the deadliest on record for Alberta, with more than 250 lives already lost.

The respiratory dashboard reports as of Tuesday that there have been a total of 16,239 cases, which combines numbers for influenza A and B. From this, the province has reported 3,753 hospitalizations, 276 ICU admissions and 255 deaths.

These numbers do not include the 3,668 cases and 28 deaths associated with respiratory syncytial virus, or the 5,367 cases and 111 deaths related to COVID-19 this season.

Minister of hospital and surgical health services Matt Jones stated in a press event that this year proved to be a “particularly difficult respiratory virus season” and mentioned a mismatch in the influenza vaccine, leading to said difficulty.

While Jones did not directly speak to a question regarding declining immunization rates among Albertans, he did say “the Government of Alberta engages in education and awareness campaigns about the benefits of vaccination.”

“I would encourage everybody watching here to consult with your doctor or medical professional about your options to get protected,” said Jones.

He says the worst of the influenza season has passed, with a roughly 70 per cent drop in patients compared to the peak season in late December.

NDP shadow minister for primary & preventative health services Sharif Haji issued a statement, criticizing a lack of response to a trend of rising influenza deaths and lowering immunization rates.

“This is now the fourth straight year of rising flu-related deaths, a clear sign that the trend is moving in exactly the wrong direction,” said Haji. “Another troubling trend is that flu vaccination rates have been declining since 2022, the year Danielle Smith became premier. Years of missed opportunities to educate and encourage Albertans to get their flu shots has left vaccination coverage sitting at only 20 per cent.”

Haji encouraged Smith and the UCP government to “learn from the tragedy” of the season and take action to educate and encourage Albertans to get immunized to ensure their health.

12
-11