Dozens of people rolled up their sleeves to fight the flu bug at the first Alberta Health Services clinic of the season in Red Deer.
Among those being immunized at Monday’s free flu clinic at the Westerner’s Harvest Centre were the Bere family. Alison and Scott Bere brought in their toddlers Emerson, 2, and Ethan, 15 months, because they know influenza can be a tough battle for children.
“For them to get the flu can be more serious than for my husband and I, because they’re so young,” said Alison.
Little Ethan cried briefly after getting a needle, but his big sister, Emerson, didn’t have to shed tears. She qualified for sniffing the vaccine — the immunization can be administered as a nasal mist for children 2 to 17 years, without lessened efficacy.
According to Dr. Digby Horne, medical officer of health for the Central Zone of Alberta Health Services, seniors and children are at higher risk of developing grave complications from the flu — as are people with chronic health problems.
Flu vaccinations are recommended for everyone six months and older — especially health workers, who are at higher risk of contracting influenza.
While the annual shot isn’t 100 per cent effective against the fast-morphing virus, Horne said it’s considered the best protection available for individuals, their families, co-workers, and patients (some of whom are at risk of developing serious flu-related complications).
“It benefits everyone who does get immunized.”
Alison Bere, a dental hygienist who comes in close contact with many people, has been getting the shot for years to improve her chances of staying healthy through the winter. Scott Bere also believes it’s beneficial.
Having read about the vaccination, the Nova Chemicals pipefitter has no concerns about ill health effects, saying the scientific research “speaks for itself.”
Horne said the advantages of the flu shot outweigh the risks. While headaches, swelling and muscle soreness are among the more common mild side-effects, there’s also a one-in-a-million risk of getting Guillain-Barre Syndrome, in which the immune system attacks the nerves.
However, Horne said people who get the flu can also develop this syndrome at a higher rate. “You shouldn’t use this as an excuse to not get immunized.”
While there are no early indications of how close a match this year’s vaccine is to the type of flu bug that will spread throughout the population, “in general, the vaccine works most of the time and it works on most people,” added Horne.
Clinics will also be held at the Harvest Centre today (12:30 to 7:30 p.m.), and Saturday, Oct. 29 (9:30 to 4 p.m.) Various other times and location are available throughout this month and November. For more information, please visit www.albertahealthservices.ca. (All clinics are drop-in, but prebooked times are also available by calling 403-356-6429.)
Flu shots are also available at many pharmacies. Those interested should call ahead to make an appointment.
lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com