A surge in cases of H1N1 influenza across Alberta has the provincial health minister urging people to get flu shots.
Fred Horne issued a statement today noting there have been 965 lab-confirmed cases of flu in the province, many of them suffered by young adults.
Another 251 Albertans have been hospitalized for flu and five of them have died.
“Today, I ask every Albertan who has not received a flu shot to get one. Flu shots are free, and easily available through doctors’ offices, most pharmacies and (Alberta Health Services) flu clinics. Getting immunized protects you, your friends, family, co-workers and everyone you come into contact with. That includes vulnerable Albertans for whom the flu can mean serious illness or even death,” said Horne in the release.
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The minister said records show only one in five Albertans and just under half of all health care workers have received a flu shot.
“These rates are too low to adequately protect Albertans, their families and communities. In some parts of the province, influenza is starting to clog emergency rooms, limit access to hospital beds, and put strain on other health care resources.”
Information on flu shot clinics is available at www.albertahealthservices.ca.
