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It happens every fall: influenza arrives in Alberta, and takes a serious toll on our communities.
Influenza is a real threat. It's also preventable.
Influenza immunization will be available, starting October 24, free of charge, to all Albertans six months of age and older. It's the single most effective means of protecting your family from influenza, and by getting immunized early in the season, you will all have the opportunity to respond to immunization, and produce antibodies that will arm you against the influenza viruses you'll be exposed to again throughout the season.
Each year, influenza vaccine is developed to protect us against those strains of virus likely to circulate in our community. Though vaccine effectiveness may vary, know this: last season, influenza vaccine cut Albertan's risk of influenza by half. Without immunization, Albertans were completely at risk.
And we do mean all Albertans.
Pregnant women, seniors, children, and individuals with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems are at greater risk for severe complications; however, without immunization, even healthy Albertans - that includes you, parents! - are at risk of severe illness and even death.
62 Albertans died with influenza last season, and more than 1,600 Albertans were hospitalized.
Let's do better this year. Let's make influenza one less thing your family has to deal with this winter.
Prevention is your protection. Get immunized.
For more information on the influenza program, including local clinic locations and schedules,
visit www.ahs.ca/influenza or call Health Link at 811.
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