With the holidays fast approaching amid a particularly nasty flu season, Albertans are being urged to stock up on their flu shots.
According to provincial data, 45 Albertans have already died from the flu this season and 1,413 have been hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed flu.
This fall’s death toll is just below the totals of some entire pre-pandemic seasons (more moderate flu seasons) and is already higher than the total recorded during the 2019-20 flu season.
“Unfortunately, it’s not really surprising,” said Craig Jenne, an associate professor in the department of microbiology, immunology and infectious diseases at the University of Calgary.
“We’re way behind in vaccination … adoption in the province, which means our overall level of community protection is significantly lower, and we’re seeing a lot of sick people as a result.”
Statistics from Alberta Health show that 25.2% of Albertans have received their free flu shots, down from pre-pandemic immunization rates.
1/3 Influenza continues to trend above expected levels, nationally. Flu shots take about two weeks to provide optimal protection, so as we quickly approach the holidays, now is the time to get vaccinated if you haven’t already. https://t.co/PNJH42zw2g
—@CPHO_Canada
And Jenne said that while case numbers are showing some early signs of plateauing, that could easily change as people gather for the holidays.
“I don’t think it’s safe to say we’re out of the woods,” he said.
“With a lot of virus in the community, low immunity levels in people and social gatherings [over Christmas]I’m concerned that we could see another spike in flu cases in the coming weeks or months.”
Dr. Jia Hu, a public health physician based in Calgary, said now is the time to get a flu shot if you haven’t already.
“It’s not too late. We’re still in a very high flu season,” he said.
Calgary public health physician Dr. Jia Hu wants Albertans to know it’s not too late to get a free flu shot (Erin Collins/CBC)
“It’s really important that people get immunised. We usually say it takes two weeks for the vaccine to take effect, but even if you get vaccinated now, it will give you some protection when Christmas comes around.”
During a press conference this week, Canada’s director of public health, Dr. Theresa Tam, called the rise in flu hospitalizations across the country, particularly the high rates among children, “worrying.”
Almost 29 per cent of flu hospitalizations in Alberta so far have occurred in children and teenagers. Two children have died.
“Laboratory data indicate that this year’s flu vaccine is a good match for circulating strains and is therefore likely to help protect against severe influenza illness,” Tam said.
“As we quickly approach the holidays, now is the time to get vaccinated if you haven’t already.”