Changes to available vaccines as influenza season begins

Influenza immunization clinics will soon be available across the province.

Alberta has purchased 1.6 million doses of flu vaccine for the 2017/18 season, enough to immunize 35 per cent of the population at a cost of $12.1 million.

Only one type of influenza vaccine will be offered free of charge — Fluzone — as an injection. The vaccine contains four strains of influenza virus including influenza A Michigan, influenza A Hong Kong, influenza B Brisbane and influenza B Phuket, said Dr. Gerry Predy, senior medical officer of health, Alberta Health Services.

“Our vaccine recommendation is what was used in the southern hemisphere in the season that is just concluding,” said Dr. Deema Hinshaw, deputy chief medical officer of health, Alberta Health.

This season Alberta Health will not offer FluMist — the nasal spray previously available for children between the ages of two and 17.

In 2016, Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization removed its preferential recommendation for FluMist, said Hinshaw.

The influenza vaccine FLUAD, designed to boost the immune response in seniors, will not be available except to seniors living in long-term care or supportive living. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends either FLUAD or a regular four-strain vaccine for seniors, said Hinshaw.

Some pharmacists may choose to offer FluMist and/or FLUAD to Albertans for a fee paid by the patient.

In the 2016/17 flu season Alberta Health purchased 1.6 million doses of influenza vaccine at a cost of $12.7 million. About 27 per cent of Albertans received the flu vaccine. There were 64 deaths from lab-confirmed influenza and 1,653 Albertans were admitted to hospital.

From Oct. 23, Albertans six months of age and older will be able to receive influenza vaccine, free of charge, at public health clinics, pharmacies and doctor’s offices.