Influenza Vaccine Supply Update: Calgary Zone

CALGARY – Alberta Health Services (AHS) continues to work diligently to manage existing supply of influenza vaccine, and to meet the high demand for vaccine across the province.

We anticipate that the supply of influenza vaccine will continue to be available through to the end of this week. There will be some minor variation across the province.

In Calgary Zone, influenza immunization clinics are running as scheduled today (Thursday). We will continue to provide all Albertans with timely information on vaccine availability and clinics in each Zone, through the AHS website, as well as through Health Link Alberta.

After the close of clinics, some doses of vaccine will be reserved for children who have received first doses and require second doses of the vaccine. Children under the age of nine who are receiving seasonal influenza vaccine for the first time this season require two doses this season to be fully protected.

Limited doses will also be reserved to address specific outbreaks in health care centres and continuing care sites.

Albertans are reminded to visit the AHS website for updated information on vaccine availability, clinic schedules, as well as important information on influenza prevention and self-care.

Also posted on the AHS website, effective today, are site by site breakdowns of staff immunization rates at AHS acute care centres. Provincial statistics on the number of immunizations delivered, influenza cases, deaths and hospitalizations are also posted. These statistics will be updated weekly.

We thank all Albertans for their continued vigilance in preventing the further spread of illness in our communities, and encourage the following preventative precautions:

• Cover your cough: Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing or coughing. If you don’t have a tissue, always cough or sneeze into your arm, not into your hands. Throw away tissues after wiping your nose or covering a cough, and wash your hands.
• Clean your hands: Using soap and warm water, wash your hands thoroughly and often, including after coughing, sneezing, using tissues or the washroom, and before eating or preparing foods. Alcohol-based hand rub or sanitizer can also be helpful if hands are not visibly soiled. Make a point of keeping hands and fingers away from your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Stay home when sick: If you have symptoms of illness, including fever, cough, diarrhea and/or vomiting, stay home from work, school, daycare, or any social function. Please also refrain from visiting family, friends or loved ones in hospitals, care facilities or seniors lodges, until you have fully recovered.

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.

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