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Flu shot clinics begin Monday

Last Updated Oct 24, 2016 at 12:44 pm MDT

You can get your free flu shot starting Monday at Alberta Health Services clinics in town, some pharmacies and doctors’ offices.

The AHS program provides the influenza immunization free of charge to all Albertans six months of age and older.

Clinics here in town are located at Fort McMurray Public Health on Thickwood Boulevard, at MacDonald Island Park, at Peter Pond Mall, at the RCMP station, at the Fort McMurray Seniors Activity Centre, at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre, at the Anzac Community Centre, at the Fort McKay Medical Centre, and at the Fort McMurray Centre of Hope.

All of the clinics are offered at varying dates and times. Visit albertahealthservices.ca to find the clinic closest to you. You can search by the date or by entering your postal code.

Getting the flu shot not only protects you from the flu but also helps build community immunity and protects the young, elderly, and ill who cannot get their flu shot and for whom the flu is a far greater risk.

“The kicker is that people who are often the most vulnerable to the severity, oftentimes the vaccine is the least effective for them,” said Dr. Mayank Singal, Medical Officer of Health in North Zone. “Part of living in society is really taking care of ourselves and taking care of each other.”

He said many people have said that they don’t ever get sick so don’t feel the need to get their flu shot, but Singal said there are still good reasons to immunize including the fact you may carry the virus without ever having severe symptoms. He said you can also pass the flu to infants and people over age 65 who are more susceptible to severe, and sometimes life-threatening, symptoms of the flu.

“We are already seeing cases of influenza in Alberta,” said Singal. “You may be healthy now, but without immunization, everyone is at risk. Prevention is your only protection.”

Alberta Health Services said immunization is the most effective means of protecting against the strains of influenza virus circulating this season. Singal said those strains are determined by the World Health Organization based on what strains are circulating in the southern hemisphere, which experiences an earlier flu season than the northern hemisphere.

Because those strains change from season to season, Albertans are reminded that they cannot rely on having been immunized in years past.

“Last season, influenza immunization cut Albertans’ risk for influenza in half. That’s great, but last year’s immunization won’t protect you this season. You need this season’s immunization to be protected,” says Dr. Singal.

In six months alone last season, more than 1,600 Albertans were hospitalized with the flu and 62 people died.

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Influenza causes more emergency department visits than heart attacks and strokes, and hospitalizes more children than poisonings.

“Influenza does not discriminate,” reminds Dr. Singal. “Though some Albertans are at greater risk of severe complications, no one is immune to its potentially severe impact. Please don’t take that risk. For yourself, and your loved ones, get immunized.”

Find more information, including local clinic schedules, Albertans can visit www.ahs.ca/influenza or call Health Link at 811.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.