Roll up the sleeve to win

It’s unfortunate that it took a batch of nasty flu cases to kindle many Calgarians’ interest in rolling up their sleeves and getting vaccinated against the disease.

Earlier this week, the Calgary zone of Alberta Health Services reported 274 lab-confirmed cases of influenza since the beginning of the season, including 33 incidents of sickness during a recent 24-hour period alone. Albertans had been encouraged to get their shots in the fall, but mass immunization clinics remain open at Brentwood Village Mall and the South Calgary Health Centre from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for the stragglers who needed reports of a serious outbreak to get their attention. Many pharmacies are also offering the shots for free.

“We have seen more people coming in to get vaccine, which is a great thing,” said Dr. Judy Mac- Donald, Calgary’s medical officer of health, this week.

It’s odd that most reasonably minded people will put on a lifejacket while on the water, and do up their seatbelt while on the road — safeguards mandated by law, mind you — but many of the same individuals won’t take a few minutes to protect themselves against an illness that could seriously sicken or kill them or one of their vulnerable family members or acquaintances.

Last year, less than a quarter of Albertans took advantage of the free flu shots, and it’s estimated that less than half of health-care workers were vaccinated, foolishly ignoring the advice of senior medical experts who have advocated for immunization for years.

It’s a case of roll up the sleeve to win.