Confirmed cases of influenza in Alberta triples last season
There have been 1,147 laboratory-confirmed cases of flu this season in Alberta, compared to just 374 last year at this stage.
There have been 59 cases this year in the south zone, compared to 44 last year. These numbers include the A and B strains of flu.
A total of 320 Albertans have been admitted to hospital with lab-confirmed flu, either the A strain or B strain, compared to 118 last year at this stage of the season. In the south zone there have been 15 admitted to hospital compared to 14 last year.
There have been five flu related deaths across the province this year, with one of those in the south zone. A year ago there had been one death province wide and none in the south zone.
Nearly a million Albertans have received the flu vaccine this season. Province-wide that number is 958,961, according to AHS data released this week and 75,996 in the south zone, administered by AHS public health, non-AHS physicians and non-AHS pharmacists.
All Albertans aged six months and older are eligible to receive influenza immunization free of charge.
Upcoming flu immunization clinics in Medicine Hat at Higdon Hall on the Stampede Grounds are as follows: Dec. 20, 2-6 p.m. and Jan. 15, 2-6 p.m.
Only one type of influenza vaccine is being 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.
FluMist, the nasal spray previously available for children between the ages of two and 17, is not available this season through AHS.
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.
Some pharmacists may choose to offer FluMist and/or FLUAD to Albertans for a fee paid by the patient.