By Charles Lefebvre

Province releases first flu report; More than 50,000 doses of vaccines administered in South Zone

Nov 9, 2018 | 11:09 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The province has released its first flu report for the 2018 season, and so far, the numbers are good news for the South Zone

As of November 3, the province has administered 656,907 doses of the influenza vaccine. In the South Zone, which includes Medicine Hat and Lethbridge, 50,605 doses of vaccines have been given out so far.

Dr. Lizette Elumir, the medical officer of health for the South Zone, says the numbers are on par with what they normally see at this time of the year

“I think that we did get our message out, and it does sound like people are listening,” she said over the phone from Lethbridge.

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According to the weekly report, a total of 20 lab confirmed cases of influenza have been found in the South Zone. A total of 519 cases have been reported in the province, the majority of which are in Calgary.

A total of 113 people have been admitted to hospital with influenza, with 80 cases in Calgary, 21 in Edmonton, seven in the North Zone and five in the Central Zone, which includes Red Deer. Nobody has been hospitalized in the South Zone.

There have been no deaths from laboratory-confirmed influenza so far this year.

Elumir says despite the good news, they are reminding people to get vaccinated.

“It’s circulating, it’s for sure making people sick, it’s for sure hospitalizing people in parts of the province,” she said. “It is around now, it’s circulating, and it is active, so it’s not too late to vaccinate. This is when we’re even more encouraging people (to vaccinate). Now that we know that we’re in the thick of the season, now we really need you to vaccinate.”

Flu vaccines are available free of charge at pharmacist’s offices, family doctors and at influenza clinics. A list of upcoming clinics can be found here.