LETHBRIDGE – There was a steady stream of people at the first flu clinic of the year at Exhibition Park in Lethbridge.
Flu clinics opened Tuesday across the province, but many people were asking themselves if rolling up their sleeves would be worth it.
Alberta Health Services admits last year’s vaccine was not as effective as was hoped, something officials expect to improve this year.
“There are projections made by the World Health Organization every year on which strains will be circulating,” said Dr. Vivien Suttorp, the Medical Officer of Health for the South Zone. “By the time November came last year, the strain that was circulating in Alberta had changed.”
Suttorp says the shot is designed to protect against H3N2, H1N1 and Influenza B, but it’s prepared months in advance so health experts have to guess what strains will be circulating.
Suttorp says thankfully, the South Zone has not seen an outbreak of influenza yet this season.
“We are not seeing a lot of influenza in the province, but cases are slowly starting to pick up. We want people to get immunized before the wave hits.”
Health officials say last year’s flu hit southern Alberta hard – especially seniors. It was the first time flu-related deaths topped 100 in the province in more than 20 years.
“We had an early peak last year and primarily it was the strain that did not match well (to the vaccine),” added Suttorp. “We saw a lot outbreaks in senior homes across the province.”
Last year 30 per cent of Albertan’s were vaccinated and AHS is aiming for 40 per cent this year.
To find the nearest flu clinic visit http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/influenza or call Health Link at 811.
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