AHS: Spread joy, not germs: stay healthy this holiday season

This holiday season, Alberta Health Services (AHS) reminds Albertans to stay safe and protect themselves during respiratory virus season.

To stop germs from spreading:

•Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and warm water after coughing, sneezing, using tissues or the washroom, and before eating or preparing foods.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing or coughing. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your arm, not into your hands.

• Keep your hands and fingers away from your eyes, nose and mouth.

• Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched often, such as doorknobs light switches and counters.

• Stay home – from work, school, social activities and visiting anyone in care facilities – when sick.

AHS continues to offer influenza and COVID-19 vaccines, free of charge, to all Albertans six months of age and older. AHS offers vaccines through public health clinics to:

• Children six months of age to under five years of age, and their family and household members.

• Individuals who do not have a provincial healthcare number.

• Individuals who live in a community where there are no other immunizing healthcare providers.

• Individuals with booked appointments for other immunizations. Albertans five years of age and older can also get immunized at:

• Local pharmacies. Check to confirm vaccine availability.

• Doctors’ offices. Some doctors are offering influenza and COVID-19 immunizations. Check to confirm vaccine availability. To learn more and to book an appointment, visit ahs.ca/vaccine, call 811, or text ‘flu’ or ‘COVID’ to 88111.