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By Chantal Wagner

available starting today

Local pharmacist expects huge turnout for the flu vaccine this year

Oct 19, 2020 | 1:50 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Today was the first day for the flu shot across Alberta.

But unlike previous years, there won’t be mass immunization clinics due to COVID 19 restrictions.

Despite that change and more sanitizing between patients, the process to get the flu vaccine is mostly the same compared to years past.

The flu shot is free and available at participating pharmacies, doctor’s offices, and clinics for those over 5 years old.

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To pre-book an appointment, you can call your local pharmacy or fill out the request on their website.

Though some pharmacies are offering walk-ins.

Greg’s Remedy’s Pharmacy says they are offering walk-ins with two dedicated pharmacists giving injections.

Owner Greg Bueckert says they’re expecting a huge turnout this year.

He says people were lined up at 8 AM Monday morning to get their flu vaccine.

“The idea of the influenza shot is to make sure that the hospitals are not overwhelmed with influenza and COVID, so they can dedicate most of the resources to COVID. So we’re encouraging everybody to get a shot this year. Especially high risk,” Bueckert told Chat News.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw also requests that all Albertans get a flu shot.

In her COVID-19 update on Friday and again in a Tweet on Monday, she says getting immunized supports Alberta’s pandemic response.

Last year, nearly 8,500 Albertans contracted the flu and 41 people died.

“Getting immunized is an easy way to protect your health. The flu shot won’t prevent COVID-19 but it will reduce your chances of getting sick with influenza and spreading it to others. Seniors, young children, pregnant women, and those with chronic health conditions are the most at risk of suffering severe and sometimes fatal complications from the flu,” Dr. Hinshaw said.

AHS is offering vaccines through public health clinics for children under 5, plus their family and household members.

Those vaccines are by appointment only and can be booked online

According to the government, for the 2020-21 season, Alberta ordered 1.96 million doses of influenza vaccine – enough to immunize 45 percent of the population.

Last year, Alberta’s immunization rate was 33 percent, an increase from 30 percent in 2018-19.