By Charles Lefebvre

Influenza

Influenza clinics begin October 21

Oct 14, 2019 | 2:00 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Influenza clinics will begin rolling out in Alberta later this month.

According to Alberta Health Services, influenza immunization clinics will begin operating on October 21 in Alberta. The Veiner Centre will also be closed for use on Thanksgiving.

Medicine Hat will host public clinics in Higdon Hall on the Stampede Grounds. The first clinic begins October 22 from 2-6 p.m.

Those unable to attend the clinic can also receive an influenza vaccine from their family physician or at a local pharmacy. The vaccines are available free of charge to all Albertans six months of age and older, according to AHS. Children younger than five must be immunized at an AHS Clinic or a doctor’s office.

Several pharmacies have also started receiving influenza vaccines for patients to receive, including Save-on-Foods, SuperStore, Safeway and Co-op locations in Medicine Hat.

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Other local pharmacies, including Crestwood Pharmacy and Greg’s Remedies.

AHS clinics will also take place on October 29, November 2, November 5, November 21 and December 20. All of the clinics take place from 2-6 p.m., with the exception of the November 2 clinic, which takes place from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

All of the clinics are drop-in format, though families with children five years old or younger can call 403-502-8214 to set up an appointment.

During the 2018/2019 flu season, a total of 7,698 confirmed cases of flu were reported in Alberta, according to the provincial government. A total of 52 deaths in hospital from laboratory-confirmed influenza were reported.