Man receives flu shot at one of AHS's vaccination clinics at Exhibition Park

By Lara Fominoff

Fewer people getting flu shots, fewer influenza cases so far this season

Jan 6, 2020 | 3:42 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – According to the latest numbers from Alberta Health, there are fewer people getting their flu vaccination so far this season (Aug. 25-Dec.14), compared with the overall numbers during the 2018/19 flu season.

Alberta Health Monitors vaccination numbers from Aug. of each year, to the end of March of the following year, along with providing weekly updates on cases during peak flu season.

It appears that so far, the flu season has not been as harsh as it was last year and in several years prior, with fewer lab confirmed cases of Influenza A not only provincially, but also in the South Health Region. However, cases of Influenza B appear to be higher than last year.

According to the latest numbers released Dec. 19, 2019, provincially there were 1.249 million doses of the flu vaccine administered, including 90,465 in the south health zone.

During the 2018/19 flu season, there were a total of 1.305 million vaccines administered, including 98,345 in the south health zone.

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There have so far been 595 lab confirmed cases of Influenza A, including 23 in the south health region. Overall last year, there were nearly 6,000 cases of the “A” virus provincially, including 432 in the south health zone.

The “B” virus appears to be more prevalent so far. Provincially, there have been 733 cases of it, including 100 cases in the south health zone. During the 2018/19 flu season, there were 143 cases provincially and three lab confirmed cases in the south.

The number of hospitalizations also appears to be down provincially – again – so far, with 241 people sent to hospital, and six deaths, compared with 1,391 hospitalizations and 30 deaths last year.

Alberta Health is still reminding the public to get their flu shots, with one more flu clinic scheduled at Exhibition Park on Tuesday, Jan. 14. Vaccinations can also be done in physician’s offices and at some pharmacies.