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By Shane Clausing

flu shots

Flu shots available across Alberta starting October 19

Oct 17, 2020 | 7:00 AM

Flu shots will be available to all Albertans at no charge starting on October 19.

With the COVID-19 pandemic hanging around, health officials across Canada are recommending that everyone gets their flu shot, to help prevent the spread of both COVID-19 and the flu.

While flu shots will be available starting on October 19, Dr. Kathryn Koliaska with Alberta Health says there are some important things you should know before going to get your flu shot.

“AHS is offering vaccines through public health clinics for children under five years of age, plus their family and household members. Children under the age of five have to be immunized at either an AHS clinic or physician office.”

“There’s a few other groups of individuals that can get immunized through AHS. And those would be people that don’t have a provincial healthcare number, or if there’s communities where there’s no other immunizing healthcare providers and people would know that by accessing 811.”

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Dr. Koliaska tells EverythingGP that unfortunately because of the potential risk of COVID-19, pharmacies and doctors offices will not be taking walk-in appointments this year.

“Everyone needs to book an appointment for AHS influenza immunization either through our website or calling 811. We are in a pandemic and we need to make sure we still have physical distancing, and we use all of those other things that we need to be doing to keep safe during a pandemic, which means not packing into lineups and crowding into places.”

“What that means though is that it might take a little bit more time than people are used to because these extra measures are in place. Typically flu season does tend to increase into the winter months, which is why we are starting now, so people have a chance to get their influenza immunization.”

Those that are interested in getting their flu shot through a pharmacy like Shoppers Drug Mart or London Drugs will also have to book an appointment.

The best option to get an appointment is online or by calling your local pharmacy.

In 2019 close to 8,500 Albertans contracted the flu. Of those who had the flu, 41 people died.

Last year, one in three Albertans took the flu vaccine. Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, says that this year, it is more important than ever to get your flu shot.

“The flu shot won’t prevent COVID, but it will help keep you from getting sick with influenza and spreading it to others. By getting immunized you are helping support Alberta’s pandemic response. We can help stop the flu from taxing our health system.”

Alberta Health Services recommends that you get your flu shot as soon as possible.