Albertans will be able to get their flu vaccine starting Monday.
The provincial government has announced Albertans over 65 are eligible to receive a high-dose flu vaccine, while those aged six months to 64 years will receive the regular dose.
“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,” said Jason Copping, minister of health.
Influenza vaccines will be offered at no cost to Albertans five years of age and older at pharmacies and some community medical clinics, and 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, and individuals who live in a community where there are no other immunizing health-care providers.
Meanwhile, Albertans 12 years of age and older will soon have an additional COVID-19 vaccine choice.
Starting Oct. 24, the bivalent Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster, which includes the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, will be available in Alberta for those 12 years and older. 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,” said Copping.
Starting Oct. 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 pharmacies are 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. 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.
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