Alberta’s seniors in long-term care will receive high-dose vaccine for influenza this year

The injectable influenza vaccine being offered this season by Alberta Health covers four-strains of flu, and certain seniors will be given something extra.

It is the same vaccine being offered across Canada and Alberta Health is highly recommending that all Albertans get a flu shot this year.

“This year, a high-dose vaccine (Fluzone High-Dose) is also being offered to residents of provincially funded longterm care beds, who are 65 and older,” said Tom

McMillan, assistant director of communications for Alberta Health. “The high-dose vaccine contains four times the antigen available in the standard dose of the influenza vaccine. It is hoped this high-dose vaccine will provide additional protection.”

It is not being provided to everyone because it was the federal government that purchased and paid for the highdose vaccine, said McMillan.

“Alberta has been allocated enough doses of Fluzone to provide the vaccine to long-term care residents who are over 65 years of age and older. This is estimated to be about 28,000 residents,” said McMillan.

Alberta Health follows the recommendations provided by Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization. Residents of long-term care facilities are at greater risk of infection and severe outcomes. There is also greater risk of outbreaks in such facilities.

McMillan says there is no “evidence to suggest that Fluzone would be beneficial for Albertans under the age of 65 at this time. The standard dose of influenza vaccine provides good coverage for younger Albertans.”

All other Albertans can receive a flu shot free of charge starting on Monday. Once immunized, it’s also crucial to wash your hands often, cover coughs and sneezes and stay home when sick. If you have flu symptoms, book a test for COVID-19, as the symptoms are similar.