Flu shot clinics open Monday in Alberta
Posted Oct 15, 2018 7:41 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Albertans can arm themselves against the flu, beginning Monday.
Public influenza clinics are opening up across the province, offering 1.6 million doses of vaccine.
Ages five and older can also roll up their sleeves at a pharmacy: the previous guidelines said Albertans nine years and older could go to a pharmacist.
Agusia McGrath from London Drugs said one of the biggest misconceptions is young, healthy people don’t need the shot.
“But unfortunately with the flu, it can impact even young and healthy individuals. I mean, in Canada we have over 3,500 dying from the flu every year,” she said.
She said people often don’t get the needle, because they are convinced it isn’t effective.
“If you look at how the vaccine is formulated every year, a new vaccine gets produced to cover the most common strains that are going to be causing the flu virus,” McGrath said.
This year’s vaccine is produced by two different manufacturers and is aimed at protecting four different strains.
Four public clinics will open their doors in Calgary for drop-ins, starting at 11 a.m.: Northgate (A154, 495 36 Street NE), Richmond Road Diagnostic and Treatment Centre (1820 Richmond Road SW), Brentwood Village Mall (302 3630 Brentwood Road NW), and South Calgary Health Centre (31 Sunpark Plaza SE).
For the full dates and times at a clinic near you, click here.
