Alberta’s NDP say it’s devastating but not surprising that this season Alberta had the highest flu death toll in 15 years.
“Health officials have been clear about the reason behind the surge in deaths: a decline in Albertans getting their flu shot. The UCP undermined vaccine awareness by tampering with Alberta Health Service’s fall influenza campaign last year,” said Alberta NDP Health Critic Dr. Luanne Metz, in a statement.
“We know that a proper, informative, immunization campaign could save lives and save millions in costs to the health care system, which is already under so much stress.”
A total of 167 Albertans died from the flu in 2023-24.
The Edmonton Zone saw the most deaths with 57, followed by Calgary Zone with 46, and Central Zone with 31.
Alberta had 15,215 lab-confirmed flu cases this season, 3,143 hospitalizations and 348 intensive care unit admissions.
The number of cases reached 2,065 in Central Zone, with 434 hospitalizations and 40 ICU admissions.
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Ashley Stevenson, UCP government press secretary, said while influenza vaccine coverage rate for the general population has decreased, the coverage rate for Albertans 65 years of age and older has remained consistent over the years, demonstrating that those at highest risk of severe outcomes from infection are being protected.
“Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring Albertans have access to information and medical interventions that help in leading a healthy life, including access to vaccines,” Stevenson said in a statement.
She said on September 28 Alberta Health advised Albertans about when fall immunization would begin and how to access vaccines. Health Minister Adriana LaGrange also issued statements in September about the importance of Albertans discussing immunization options with a primary care provider or pharmacist.
A $515,000 advertising campaign ran from mid-October 2023 to the end of February 2024 to remind Albertans that influenza and COVID-19 vaccines were available. Immunization information was sent to primary care providers and pharmacists to share with patients.
Stevenson said the province has also been extremely transparent in providing data on the Respiratory Virus Dashboard.
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A total of 549 Albertans died from COVID-19 this season, including 79 in Central Zone.
The province had 18,133 lab-confirmed COVID cases this season, 4,468 hospitalizations and 280 in the ICU.
Central Zone had 2,608 confirmed COVID cases, with 594 hospitalizations and 44 ICU admissions.
Across the province, there were 4,898 lab-confirmed RSV cases, including 566 in Central Zone.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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