Flu vaccine available in Alberta starting next week
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Albertans will be able to start booking their flu shots starting next week, while another COVID-19 bivalent booster will be rolled out in late October.
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Beginning October 17, Albertans six months and older will be able to get their flu shot at participating pharmacies, medical clinics and select Alberta Health Services sites. People over the age of 65 will also be able to receive a high-dose vaccine.
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« Getting the flu shot is an easy way to reduce your risk of getting the flu, help limit the spread of the virus and lower your risk of being hospitalized with the flu, » the minister said on Thursday. of Health, Jason Copping, in a press release.
Beginning Oct. 24, the Pfizer COVID-19 bivalent vaccine booster, which includes the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, will be available to Albertans aged 12 and older.
This is in addition to the already available Moderna COVID-19 bivalent vaccine, which includes the BA.1 subvariant.
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Albertans aged five and older can receive their flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine, including boosters, at the same time. In most cases, separate appointments are not necessary.
For children six months to four years old, it is recommended to wait 14 days between receiving a COVID-19 vaccine and the flu shot or routine childhood vaccines.
Bivalent flu and COVID-19 vaccines are free and reservations will be available through the Alberta Vaccine Reservation System at bookvaccine.alberta.ca or by calling Health Link at 811. Some pharmacies will also accommodate walk-ins. appointment for the flu vaccine. .
The Alberta government has ordered 1.9 million doses of flu vaccine for this season.
During the 2021-2022 season, there were 2,906 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza and 14 influenza-related deaths. The provincial vaccination rate was 27%.
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