Flu in Alberta causes 15 deaths
Province says there have been more than 2,500 confirmed cases in Alberta
There have been five more flu deaths in Alberta.
Alberta Health Services is now reporting that 15 people have died from the flu this season.
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Health officials say there were 10 people who died in Calgary, three people in Edmonton and two from rural Alberta.
According to the latest numbers there have been more than 2,500 confirmed cases of the flu in the province.
Almost 600 of those cases required hospitalization and 26 people were put in intensive care.
There was 37 deaths in total during the last flu season in Alberta. Across Canada, the number of deaths connected with influenza averages 3,500 annually.
There is currently a shortage of flu vaccine in the province after a record number of Albertans braved long lineups at clinics to get their shot.
Some doses of vaccine have been reserved for children under the age of nine who still require a second dose.
"Children under the age of nine who received seasonal influenza vaccine for the first time this season require a second dose this season to be fully protected. Supply has been reserved for children needing that second dose," said AHS spokesperson Bruce Conway in an email.
"Some doses of influenza vaccine have also been reserved to address specific outbreaks in health care centres and continuing care sites as needed."
Anyone needing to set up an appointment for a child can call Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-5465.