INNISFAIL – Flu season has arrived.
Despite some vaccine delays and shortages across parts of Canada, Alberta Health has confirmed that free flu clinics will go ahead as scheduled, beginning this month.
An official announcement from Alberta Health is expected this week.
“The clinics are happening on pretty much the usual schedule and they’ll be announcing them next week,” said Steve Buick, spokesperson for Alberta Health.
Buick said he was aware of some vaccine shortages and delays in some shipments and scheduling across the country, but so far they are not expected to change any preparations for influenza clinics here in Alberta.
“The delays we’re talking about are on the scale of a few days. There isn’t any significant change this year,” said Buick.
Flu season typically runs throughout the fall and winter months with a variety of peak times, noted Buick, including a common peak during mid-winter between December and January.
“The flu season varies from year to year; there’s no fixed time for it,” he said. “The normal time when we roll out the immunization campaign is in October, and we’re rolling it out this year the same as in past years.”
Here in Central Alberta local pharmacies have been preparing for the flu season and will be holding free flu clinics over the next several weeks.
Alberta Health has provided an official launch date of Oct. 21.
“The original start date (for clinics) from the province is October 21,” said Brent Jackson of Jackson’s Pharmasave in Innisfail. “When we get our vaccine in they give us the go-ahead, so we’re prepared to start any time. We have a bit (of vaccine) in now so we’re able to start any time,” he said.
Other local pharmacies have already begun immunization clinics, including at least one in Sylvan Lake. John's No Frills pharmacy in Innisfail is holding flu clinics on Oct. 10, 17, 22 and 24. IDA Pharmacy in the Henday Mall is holding flu clinics beginning Oct. 21 and IDA Pharmacy in Penhold will also hold flu clinics this year but have not yet confirmed dates.
Buick said Alberta Health is preparing for the flu season as it does every year.
“Some flu seasons are worse than others. It’s very difficult to predict it," said Buick. "We prepare essentially the same way every year.”
