Calgary flu shots drop, but health officials warn flu is coming

Some Calgary pharmacists say there's something missing this yearwhen it comes to gettingthe flu shot: there's no panic, no hype andno rush to get in line.

In fact, demand hasbeen fairly slow and steady.

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"We'renot seeing the volumes that we were seeing in the past like say when H1N1 was being featured in the news,"saidRichard Rego ofBeacon Pharmacy, referring to the Swine Flu pandemicthat swamped clinics a few years back.

Regosays this"garden variety year"may be due to a lack of controversy, like a newstrainor a supply problem.

Or it could be thewarmer weather keeping influenza far from people's minds.

Numbers hard to compare

JudyMacDonald,Calgary's medical officer of health, says it'shard to compare year-to-year because there are so many factorswhen it comes to the flu vaccine.

"Last year at this time we were in the throes of influenza. Lots of influenza occurring in the community. Lots of outbreaks. Thisyear activity is quite reduced," she said.

MacDonald says, according tothe latest numbers,Calgary has had 18lab-confirmed influenzacases to date, compared to 136last year. New numbers are expected to be released shortly.

"Butwinter hasn't really arrived yet and influenza is still coming,"saidMacDonald.

Optimistic goals

AHS says its goal this year is to have a 40 per centvaccination rate, which would be a first for the province.

Last year it was around 30 per cent, so MacDonald says she's trying to come up with creative suggestionsto motivateAlbertans to roll up their sleeves.

"So maybe as you're putting your Christmasto-do list together ... at the top of that (put) 'get influenza vaccine.'"

Plus, pharmacistLauren Sule saysit's important to get vaccinated before the flu season strikes because it takes up toabout two weeks for it to take effect.

"Thatwill help ensure that they are protected before the flu outbreaks start to happen," Sule said.

"And the more people who are vaccinated earlieron, reduces the chances of anoutbreak later on."