REGINA – There have been 16 flu-related deaths in Saskatchewan – already one more than the 15 people who died in 2009 when the influenza pandemic hit the province.
Saskatchewan’s deputy chief medical officer said 75 per cent of the 16 people who have died had underlying health conditions. All 16 deaths involved people who were not vaccinated.
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There is no word on where in the province the most recent deaths occurred.
Currently, there are 1,102 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases in the province.
A vaccine shortage earlier this month forced Saskatchewan to limit flu immunizations to children under five, pregnant women, and women who have given birth in the last four weeks.
More doses arrived last week, so health officials were able to expand the program to people who are severely immune compromised.
The province also has FluMist nasal spray vaccination available to everyone between the ages of two and 59.
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