Albertans six months and older can obtain their free flu shot beginning Monday, the province introduced on Friday.
Appointments might be made online for taking part pharmacies and Alberta Well being Providers’ public well being clinics.
If there are not any appointments in an space, Albertans can name native pharmacies or docs’ workplaces to study when flu vaccines might be accessible.
Appointments might be booked by Well being Hyperlink by calling 811 and taking part pharmacies might be providing drop-in appointments beginning Monday.
Throughout her replace on Thursday, chief medical officer of well being Dr. Deena Hinshaw harassed the significance of the flu shot this yr as Alberta continues to grapple with the fourth wave of COVID-19.
“To ease the pressure brought on by elevated demand for COVID-19 and influenza testing, I urge each eligible Albertan to get the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines as quickly as you’ll be able to,” she mentioned.
“This may vastly cut back the quantity of people that get contaminated and the variety of symptomatic individuals who have to be examined.”
As of Thursday, Alberta had confirmed three circumstances of influenza. Final yr, whereas the province was below strict restrictions to regulate the unfold of COVID-19, the province had no lab-confirmed circumstances and no flu-related deaths.
Throughout final yr’s flu season, 37 per cent of Albertans had been vaccinated in opposition to influenza, in comparison with 33 per cent the yr earlier than.
“Getting immunized has by no means been extra vital as Alberta hospitals are at capability, strained to offer take care of very sick individuals, together with these with COVID-19,” Well being Minister Jason Copping mentioned in Friday’s information launch. “We should do all that we will to guard ourselves, our households and our neighbours from COVID-19 in addition to the flu.
“Getting immunized will assist cease the unfold of influenza, cut back flu-related visits to the emergency ward and assist our well being system present care to these in want.”
Albertans 65 and older are eligible to obtain a high-dose flu vaccine this yr. These six months to 64 will obtain the common dose. In accordance with the province, each vaccines shield from 4 widespread strains of the virus.
Hinshaw mentioned Thursday it’s secure to obtain each the COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine on the similar time, and urged Albertans who nonetheless want both dose of COVID vaccine to obtain the flu vaccine on the similar time.
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