Influenza vaccines are no longer available in the Calgary zone — including Cochrane — due to the thousands who rushed to immunization clinics after hearing news of dwindling stock.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) made the announcement that flu immunization clinics will be closed for the remainder of the flu season Jan. 10. Before that, on Jan. 8, health officials made the decision to limit vaccine shipments to AHS public health clinics.
This has left pharmacies, like Cochrane’s Grand Avenue Pharmacy, without flu vaccines for the rest of the season.
“This is frustrating for us — this is a service we’re proud to provide,” said Ian Kruger, pharmacist and co-owner of Grand Avenue Pharmacy.
Typically, the vaccine is readily available and ordered by the pharmacy on a weekly basis, he added.
“The worst part is, we haven’t even hit the peak of flu season,” said Kruger.
More than a million Albertans have been immunized this season, which peaks in February.
As of Jan. 8, there have been more than 1,550 confirmed cases of influenza in Alberta — 485 of those cases were located in the Calgary zone. Eight Albertans have died.
The remaining doses of the flu vaccine has been reserved for children who have received their first doses of the vaccine this season and require a second dose. This year, AHS recommends that children under the age of nine who have acquired their first flu vaccine this season, be vaccinated twice to be fully protected.
In a press release, AHS stated that limited doses have also been reserved to address outbreaks in health care centres and continuing care sites on a case-by-case basis.
At this point, there are about 30,000 remaining doses in the province, said Timothy Wilson, issues manager with Alberta Health. More vaccines are coming, he added, although these additional doses will be added to the reserve.
Wilson said about 15,000 doses have been ordered this week. He said Alberta Health is expecting to secure the same number of doses for the next two weeks, but the exact number of vaccines has not been confirmed.
Grand Avenue Pharmacy may be without vaccines, but Kruger said pharmacy staff is working to provide Cochrane residents with options and products to prevent illness.
“If the government does decide to begin distributing vaccines to pharmacies again, we’ll be all over it,” he said.
He encourages sick individuals to stay home, and urges residents to use good hygiene practices to prevent spread of the virus. This includes covering your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, not touching your hands to your mouth and nose, washing your hands, and putting hand sanitizer to good use. For additional information regarding self-care and when to seek medical help, visit albertahealthservices.ca/Influenza.asp. If your child requires a second dose, call Health Link Alberta at 403-943-5465.
