Alberta’s Influenza Immunization Program
CALGARY – Starting today, Tuesday, Oct. 20, Albertans will have the opportunity to protect themselves and others against influenza with the launch of Alberta’s annual influenza immunization program.
The program makes vaccine available free of charge to all Albertans six months of age and older at hundreds of Alberta Health Services (AHS) public influenza immunization clinics, as well as at pharmacist and physician offices around the province.
“Influenza arrives every fall, and chances are you will be exposed,” says Dr. Judy MacDonald, Medical Officer of Health, Calgary Zone. “You may be healthy now but keep in mind: good health isn’t contagious. Influenza is. To protect your health, get immunized.”
Immunization is the most effective means of protecting against the strains of influenza virus expected to circulate this season. Because those strains change from season to season, Albertans are reminded that they cannot rely on having been immunized in years past.
“It’s pretty simple: to be protected this season, you need to be immunized this season,” says
Dr. MacDonald. “Without immunization, you’re at risk.”
That risk shouldn’t be underestimated. Last season, more than 1,870 Albertans were hospitalized due to influenza, and for 103 Albertans it was fatal. Thousands more suffered from the illness and put those around them at risk of contracting influenza as well.
“Chances are your friends and family don’t want influenza any more than you do,” says
Dr. MacDonald. “Don’t take that chance. Get immunized.”
For more information, including local clinic schedules, Albertans can visit www.ahs.ca/influenza or call Health Link at 811.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
Clinic Schedules in the Foothills
Black Diamond
Oilfields Hospital (717 Government Rd, Black Diamond)
- Tue, Oct 20, 2015: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Drop In
- Fri, Oct 30, 2015: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Drop In
- Tue, Nov 10, 2015: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM Drop In
- Tue, Nov 24, 2015: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM Drop In
- Wed, Dec 09, 2015: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM Drop In
- Fri, Jan 08, 2016: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Drop In
- Fri, Feb 05, 2016: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Drop In
- Fri, Mar 04, 2016: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Drop In
Pharmasave in Black Diamond is also starting flu shots today
High River
High River Health Unit (310 Macleod Tr)
- Wed, Jan 20, 2016: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Drop In
- Wed, Feb 24, 2016: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Drop In
- Wed, Mar 30, 2016: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Drop In
Highwood Memorial Centre (128-5th Av W)
- Oct 20, 2015: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Drop In
- Oct 21, 2015: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM Drop In
- Oct 28, 2015: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Drop In
- Oct 29, 2015: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM Drop In
- Nov 12, 2015: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM Drop In
- Nov 17, 2015: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM Drop In
- Dec 02, 2015: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM Drop In
- Dec 17, 2015: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM Drop In
Okotoks
Foothills Centennial Centre (204 Community Way)
- Oct 21, 2015: 11:00 AM – 6:45 PM Drop In
- Oct 28, 2015: 11:00 AM – 6:45 PM Drop In
- Nov 04, 2015: 11:00 AM – 6:45 PM Drop In
- Nov 09, 2015: 11:00 AM – 6:45 PM Drop In
- Nov 10, 2015: 11:00 AM – 6:45 PM Drop In
- Nov 18, 2015: 11:00 AM – 6:45 PM Drop In
- Nov 25, 2015: 11:00 AM – 6:45 PM Drop In
- Nov 27, 2015: 11:00 AM – 6:45 PM Drop In
- Dec 02, 2015: 11:00 AM – 6:45 PM Drop In
Okotoks Health and Wellness Centre (11 Cimarron Common)
- Thu, Dec 17, 2015: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Drop In
- Thu, Jan 14, 2016: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Drop In
- Thu, Jan 28, 2016: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM Drop In
- Thu, Feb 25, 2016: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Drop In
- Thu, Mar 24, 2016: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM Drop In