Alberta is grappling with its most severe influenza season in 16 years, recording 235 deaths over the past 12 months — surpassing the 175 fatalities of the 2023-2024 season, according to provincial data.The death rate of 4.8 per 100,000 people has placed immense pressure on the healthcare system, with 3,666 hospitalizations and 304 ICU admissions reported province-wide.The Edmonton Zone has been hit hardest, with 92 deaths, 5,070 confirmed cases, and 105 ICU admissions. Calgary follows closely with 61 deaths, 5,428 cases — the highest case count in Alberta — and 88 ICU admissions. The H1N1 strain is driving most cases, with the H3N2 strain, known for causing severe illness in older adults, also circulating.Dr. Daniel Gregson, an infectious disease expert and associate professor at the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine, told the Western Standard that this season’s epidemic was unusual, with a prolonged duration from November to May, compared to the 2022-2023 season, which ended by mid-January.“Usually, one strain predominates, but this year’s mixed H1N1 and H3N2 circulation led to a longer and more severe season,” he said..Adults aged 70–79 have been disproportionately affected, accounting for nearly 30% of deaths with 70 fatalities. Common complications leading to ICU admissions for influenza include severe viral pneumonia, sometimes requiring ventilation, secondary bacterial infections, and increased risks of heart attacks and strokes, according to Gregson.Despite a robust public health campaign launched on October 7, 2024, by Alberta Health Services (AHS) — featuring print, TV, radio, outdoor, and online advertising to promote seasonal immunization — only 21% of Albertans, or just over 1 million people, have received the flu vaccine.The 65-69 age group was the most vaccinated, with 107,148 doses administered, while 91 adverse vaccine reactions, primarily allergic responses, affected 85 individuals.Gregson identified several possible reasons for Alberta’s lower influenza vaccination rates in fall 2024 compared to other provinces. These include: a disrupted vaccine delivery — COVID-19 lockdowns interrupted routine vaccinations without dedicated catch-up programs — medical misinformation, a genuine decline in trust and many Albertans lacking access to a family doctor or nurse practitioner..“Enhanced public messaging would be a great start,” Dr. Gregson emphasized, noting that rebuilding trust and improving access to healthcare providers could boost uptake.He also stressed the urgency of addressing vaccine hesitancy and improving access to healthcare providers to mitigate future outbreaks.Since the 2021-2022 season, Alberta has implemented a standardized process to track influenza-related deaths in hospitals and community settings, capturing more cases than earlier hospital-only reporting. Recent data reconciliation has adjusted historical figures, complicating direct comparisons to past seasons.Speaking with the Western Standard, the Office of the Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services said: “Declining vaccination rates are a national trend, influenced by viral characteristics, behavioural patterns, and global trends. Reduced influenza activity during the COVID-19 pandemic likely weakened population immunity, contributing to this season’s severity. Planning for the 2025-2026 respiratory virus season is underway.”.Public health functions transitioned to Primary Care Alberta on July 1, 2025, and the Government of Alberta is currently collaborating to ensure continued access to timely health information. More details are expected soon.
