Calgary flu shots drop, but health officials warn flu is coming
Colleen Underwood | CBC News | Posted: December 10, 2015 3:48 AM | Last Updated: December 11, 2015
Health officials say both the number of cases and immunizations are down this year
Some Calgary pharmacists say there's something missing this year when it comes to getting the flu shot: there's no panic, no hype and no rush to get in line.
In fact, demand has been fairly slow and steady.
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"We're not seeing the volumes that we were seeing in the past like say when H1N1 was being featured in the news," said Richard Rego of Beacon Pharmacy, referring to the Swine Flu pandemic that swamped clinics a few years back.
Rego says this "garden variety year" may be due to a lack of controversy, like a new strain or a supply problem.
Or it could be the warmer weather keeping influenza far from people's minds.
Numbers hard to compare
Judy MacDonald, Calgary's medical officer of health, says it's hard to compare year-to-year because there are so many factors when it comes to the flu vaccine.
"Last year at this time we were in the throes of influenza. Lots of influenza occurring in the community. Lots of outbreaks. This year activity is quite reduced," she said.
MacDonald says, according to the latest numbers, Calgary has had 18 lab-confirmed influenza cases to date, compared to 136 last year. New numbers are expected to be released shortly.
"But winter hasn't really arrived yet and influenza is still coming," said MacDonald.
Optimistic goals
AHS says its goal this year is to have a 40 per cent vaccination rate, which would be a first for the province.
Last year it was around 30 per cent, so MacDonald says she's trying to come up with creative suggestions to motivate Albertans to roll up their sleeves.
"So maybe as you're putting your Christmas to-do list together ... at the top of that (put) 'get influenza vaccine.'"
Plus, pharmacist Lauren Sule says it's important to get vaccinated before the flu season strikes because it takes up to about two weeks for it to take effect.
"That will help ensure that they are protected before the flu outbreaks start to happen," Sule said.
"And the more people who are vaccinated earlier on, reduces the chances of an outbreak later on."