Alberta’s government ordered 1.9 million doses of flu vaccine, and will make it available next week..On Monday, Albertans six months of age and older can get their flu vaccine. Albertans older than 65 are eligible to receive a high-dose flu vaccine, while those aged six months to 64 will receive the regular dose. The provincial government says the vaccine will protect people from four common strains of the influenza virus..“Getting your flu vaccine is an easy way to reduce your risk of getting the flu, help to limit the spread of the virus, and reduce your risk of being hospitalized due to influenza," Minister of Health Jason Copping said..Alberta seasonal influenza numbers for 2021–22 were 2,906 lab-confirmed cases of influenza and 14 influenza-related deaths. The provincial immunization rate was 27%. About 82% of long-term care residents were immunized. The provincial government stated that 52% of children aged six months to 23 months received at least one dose of the influenza vaccine..In Alberta about 65% of seniors 65 years and older were immunized and pharmacists were responsible for administrating 75% of all influenza immunizations..Where to get immunized. Starting Monday, flu vaccines will be offered to Albertans at no cost to:.Albertans five years of age and older at pharmacies and some community medical clinics.Albertans who are six months of age and older at some community medical clinics..Alberta Health Services will offer vaccines through its public health clinics to:.Children under five years of age and their family and household members.Individuals who do not have a provincial health care number.Individuals who live in a community where there are no other immunizing health-care providers. .Meanwhile, starting October 24, Albertans 12 years of age and older will soon have an additional COVID-19 vaccine choice..The bivalent Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster, which includes the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, will be available in Alberta..This is in addition to the currently available bivalent Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, which includes the BA.1 subvariant. These vaccines are available on a voluntary basis..“We recognize that many Albertans are looking to receive their COVID-19 booster dose as we head into the fall and winter. As BA.4 and BA.5 are the prevalent strains in Alberta at this time, we are pleased to offer this additional option," Copping said..Earlier this week, at the European Union’s COVID-19 response, Pfizer’s president of international developed markets, Janine Small, admitted its vaccine had never been tested before its release to the general public on its ability to prevent the transmission of COVID..“Regarding the question around did we know about stopping immunization before it entered the market … no,” Small admitted to Dutch politician and a current Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Robert Roos..“In a COVID hearing in the European Parliament, one of the Pfizer directors just admitted to me at the time of introduction, the vaccine had never been tested on stopping the transmission of the virus," Roos said on Twitter..READ MORE: Notley still promoting vaccines after Pfizer admits its vax was never tested to stop transmission. “This removes the entire legal basis for the COVID Passport. The COVID passport led to massive institutional discrimination as people lost access to essential parts of society. I find this to be shocking, even criminal.”.Starting October 24, appointments will be available through the Alberta Vaccine Booking System at bookvaccine.alberta.ca, through participating pharmacies, or by calling Health Link at 811..If your local pharmacy is not listed in the booking system, contact them directly or visit bluecross.ca to find a pharmacy near you..Individuals five years of age and older can get their influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine, including boosters, at the same time. In most cases, separate appointments are not needed. .The provincial government stated: "It is recommended that children six months to four years of age wait 14 days between receiving their COVID-19 vaccine and influenza vaccine or routine childhood vaccines."."Individuals with questions about whether they should receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster based on their personal medical history, age, or other risk factors should discuss them with their family physician."
