As of Nov. 25, 17 people in Alberta had died of the flu during this respiratory virus season, and close to 500 were hospitalized
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With vaccination numbers lagging and the holiday season approaching, health experts are calling on Albertans to roll up their sleeves for their flu and COVID-19 shots.
As of Nov. 25, 17 people in Alberta had died of the flu during this respiratory virus season, and close to 500 were hospitalized, according to provincial data. In the same time frame, 245 deaths and almost 2,300 hospitalizations were tied to COVID-19.
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However, uptake for the annual flu shot sits just above 20 per cent in Alberta, and only 14 per cent for the latest COVID-19 vaccination. The numbers are “disappointingly low,” said a Calgary immunologist.
“We know that there are fewer people in the community with protection against influenza, and the even lower vaccine rates for COVID shots suggest there’s a lot of people out there with limited protection against COVID,” said Dr. Craig Jenne, an associate professor in the University of Calgary’s department of microbiology, immunology and infectious diseases. “And that’s probably largely to explain why we are seeing a large number of cases at the hospital and why we’re seeing such high levels in our wastewater.”
Even for those who believe they’ve caught the flu already this year, it’s important to get the shot, Jenne said, noting that the vaccine protects against four separate circulating strains of influenza.
“We continue to see, unfortunately, the loss of life to infectious diseases, including COVID, in Alberta,” said Jenne. “(COVID) is still, unfortunately, killing Albertans at a much higher rate than influenza is, and we may yet see another spike in influenza. These viruses are still here, they will continue to circulate, they will take advantage of large indoor gatherings over the holidays, and that might lead to more cases in the first half of January.”
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Pharmacist Jason Chan-Remillard said there’s still time for folks to ensure they and their families are protected ahead of holiday gatherings; vaccines take about two weeks to provide effective protection.
“It’s important not just for your own health but also for the health of people who can’t get the shots,” said the owner of the Pharmasave in Brentwood.
He noted that many pharmacies, including his own, are offering walk-in services for vaccinations, with both COVID and flu shots available.
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With the COVID vaccine in particular, Chan-Remillard said a lot of people are still unsure whether they’re eligible to have the shot — the vaccine is approved for all Albertans older than six months — and there’s some confusion surrounding the new vaccine.
“They’re kind of confused with the fact that this new COVID shot is no longer called a booster — it’s a brand new formulation, kind of like the flu shot each year,” he said.
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The new vaccines target the XBB 1.5 COVID-19 strain, a descendent of Omicron that emerged this year. While last fall’s shots were bivalent — targeting multiple strains — this year’s is monovalent, aimed solely at the XBB 1.5 variant.
While XBB 1.5 is no longer the dominant strain of COVID-19, doctors have said the new doses should offer protection against new variants.
Pharmasave is also launching a provincewide adult immunization drive, aimed at helping Albertans catch up on recommended vaccines. Albertans can make an appointment at any Pharmasave location for a vaccine consultation, going over their history and checking which shots may be needed.
“When someone comes in and just asks for a flu shot, it’s a great opportunity for pharmacists to ask about other adult vaccinations that are maybe not as urgent but still so important,” said Chan-Remillard.
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COVID, flu vaccine uptake low in Alberta heading into holiday season - Calgary Herald
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