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By Chris Brown

597,000 doses of vaccine given so far

AHS: One influenza case in first weekly report of flu season

Oct 29, 2020 | 4:45 PM

The first weekly data update for the 2020/21 provincial influenza season has been released by Alberta Health Services.

The report – which includes data for each of AHS’ five zones, as well as provincial totals – shows more than 597,000 doses of influenza vaccine have been administered to Albertans, and only one case of influenza has been confirmed at this point in the influenza season. It is in the Central Zone.

That compares favourably to last flu season when fewer than 545,000 Albertans had been immunized and 95 cases of influenza had been confirmed in the first weekly report.

In a release, AHS cautions that it’s not accurate to compare influenza seasons directly until a full season’s data is complete; however this first 2020/21 report is encouraging and suggests that Albertans are understanding the importance of influenza immunization this season, to reduce further illness in our communities as Alberta continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The release also says that addition to influenza immunization, public health measures such as physical distancing, increased respiratory and hand hygiene, and restricted travel continue to be imperative to reduce spread of COVID-19 and provide additional cross-protection against influenza as well.

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The flu vaccine is available free to all Albertans six months of age and older. This year, AHS is working with pharmacists and physicians to offer immunization to different age groups and demographics. For information on where and how to receive influenza immunization, visit ahs.ca/influenza.

Weekly data reports are also posted to www.ahs.ca/influenza, before the end of day each Thursday. These reports will continue to include doses of immunizations administered and lab-confirmed influenza cases, as well as hospitalizations and deaths in individuals with lab-confirmed influenza.