Free seasonal flu vaccine to become available

trevor.kenney — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:30:24 +0000

As the Fall 2009 semester approaches, concerns are once again being raised regarding the spread of influenza at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

The U of L Health Centre (403-329-2484 or health.centre@uleth.ca) continues to be a leader in disseminating information that addresses these concerns, whether it be seasonal influenza or the H1N1 virus. The latest development in tackling the spread of influenza comes in the form of a decree from the Alberta government that free seasonal influenza vaccine will be made available in October.

This fall, the Alberta government will offer a free seasonal influenza vaccine to all Albertans six months and older.

Immunization can be obtained through public health clinics and some physician offices and pharmacists beginning in October.

"This is something Alberta has been working toward for a number of years," says Ron Liepert, Minister of Alberta Health and Wellness.

"It is a valuable investment in strengthening the public health system in Alberta, and is the best way of protecting Albertans from seasonal influenza viruses that we see every year."

Separate from the seasonal influenza vaccine, the province is also working on its plan to immunize Albertans against the H1N1 influenza virus sometime this fall. Details on that immunization program will be announced when available.

"Immunization continues to be our best defense against influenza," says Dr. André Corriveau, Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health.

"Whether you have underlying medical conditions that put you at higher risk of developing influenza-related complications or may be in contact with someone who does, it is important for all Albertans to get their flu shot to reduce transmission of the virus."

Additionally, individuals 65 years and over and those who are at high risk because of certain health problems are strongly advised to get the pneumococcal immunization as it may be beneficial in the prevention of both pneumonia and influenza-related diseases.

Clinic dates and locations are currently in the planning stage and Alberta Health Services will be announcing details in September.

For more information on Alberta's influenza immunization program, and other vaccines included in the province's routine immunization program, please visit http://www.health.alberta.ca and click on Health Information, then immunization.

Or, visit Health Link Alberta at http://www.healthlinkalberta.ca or call toll-free at 1-866-408-LINK (5465).

How Influenza A H1N1 affects you

trevor.kenney — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:21:40 +0000

Canadians are not immune to the swine flu, and neither is the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. There is however, no reason to panic.

There is a lot of information in the news media about the current 'flu' nicknamed swine flu (actually an H1N1 influenza strain) but before panic sets in, knowledge about the virus is key to understanding how best to avoid contracting this flu.

A strain of influenza has emerged from the Mexico area that is causing severe respiratory symptoms including high fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, lethargy, and body aches. These symptoms sound familiar because they are similar to other influenza symptoms.

Those people who are well right now and have not been to Mexico or been around someone who has been to Mexico and gotten ill, can remain calm. However, be alert to people who are ill and follow basic flu precautions such as washing your hands well and regularly, cleaning your workplace setting, covering your face when coughing and staying home if you are ill.

If you get mild flu symptoms and haven't been to Mexico or been around someone from Mexico, it might just be that you have some other strain of influenza that is not swine flu.

If you do not need medical care, please stay home (letting your supervisor know of your illness) and continue to follow the above mentioned basic flu precautions.

If you require medical care, let your clinic staff know that you have mild flu symptoms and that you have not been to Mexico or been around someone from Mexico. You may be asked to wear a mask while waiting in the clinic waiting area.

However, if you have been to Mexico and have SEVERE influenza symptoms or have been around someone who has recently been to Mexico and has SEVERE influenza symptoms, then please understand that the best thing to do is to stay at home and deal with your illness until such time as you believe that you need to see a doctor.

This illness hits fast and hard, typically within approximately five days after being infected. If you need to seek medical attention, call Healthlink Alberta (1-866-408-LINK (5465)). They will ask you to call the clinic or emergency room before you go there in order that they can have you in a private waiting/exam room (so that you don't infect other people).

You may be asked to wear a mask or be told to stay at home (quarantined) until your nasopharyngeal (nose) swab test comes back. Some people can recover at home; others may need to be hospitalized depending on the severity of their symptoms.

As information changes quickly, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Health Centre will continue updating about this illness.

You can also check out these websites for further information:

Centres for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm

World Health Organization
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

Alberta Health Services
http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/

If you have questions, please call the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Health Centre, ask for Lori or Dianne at 403-329-2484 or e-mail: health.centre@uleth.ca

UNews - 1-866-408-LINK (5465)

Free seasonal flu vaccine to become available

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