Flu shots are still available at local pharmacies, mostly on a drop-in basis.
Alberta is well into flu season and it appears that the vaccination bug is hitting more than the flu bug.
A strong public campaign to get Alberta residents into flu clinics to get their annual shot is paying off. Area pharmacists say that the response to clinics has been as good if not better than last season.
“I think it (uptake of flu shots) has peaked already and it went well,” said Pat Doyle of Anderson Drug. “We did more this year than we did last year, but I would still encourage those who haven’t been vaccinated to get vaccinated. Even though there has been some reports of outbreak in Alberta it hasn’t peaked either.”
Pharmacists have been able to deliver flu shots for four years, Doyle feels the awareness is spreading.
“I think the government has done a good job in their campaign to get the populous informed to get their flu shots,” said Doyle.
He adds that a pharmacy may be a more attractive option for those wanting shots.
“In the old day, like four years ago, people were still in the big line-up at the public health offices to get their shot,” said Doyle.
Natalie Gincher of Shoppers Drug Mart says they have had a good uptake of residents coming into get shots. Part of the appeal at pharmacies is the convenience.
It is still available and people are still coming,” she said. “We’ve never had to have people book appointments, It is available anytime, all day seven days a week,” she said.
Ray Ainscough of Riverside Value Drug Mart says their first clinics were very busy, but now they are seeing numbers similar to last season.
“Sometime it is out of sight out of mind,” he said adding different factors like the weather or the fact there has not been an outbreak, has slowed numbers.
“There is definitely more uptake when you start to hear about cases of it,” he said. “Our numbers are pretty good, but you definitely would like to see more people get their shot.”
He said Riverside Value Drug Mart is no longer scheduling clinics, and are able to do the shots mostly on a drop-in basis. Unlike last season, there is no concern about a shortage of the vaccine.
As of November 20, Alberta Health Services reports that there had been 219 individual cases of influenza confirmed in Alberta. At that time, 926,500 doses of vaccine had been administered.
