ATHABASCA/BARRHEAD/WESTLOCK — It’s that time of year again, the snow has graced the ground, Christmas lights are going up, and it's influenza season.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kathryn Koliaska said in a Nov. 10 interview even though the goal is to have everyone vaccinated, getting the influenza vaccine is a personal choice and people must decide on their own “why” and if they feel it’s necessary.
“Any one of the conversations that I've had over the last number of months or a year or so, we have said, ‘What's your why?’,” she said. “And it's a really powerful question.”
Maybe you’re facing surgery, or just had a newborn, maybe someone close to you is immunocompromised or at an age where they are more likely to have complications – under six and over 60 years old.
“I want to describe a vaccine as a sneak peek, really, for your immune system,” said Koliaska. "Wouldn't you like a chance to have a sneak peek to prepare your immune system in a safe way to prevent or lessen the potential symptoms before you actually get exposed to your save yourself from getting really, really sick?”
Vaccine hesitancy is a big issue, especially following false information spread about COVID-19 vaccines claiming it will alter your DNA or contains a microchip. Neither of those things are remotely true.
“There's high quality information on both the Alberta Health Services and Alberta Health website,” Koliaska said.
She noted people can use the 811 Health Link or talk to their healthcare provider or vaccine provider if they have concerns about the vaccine or how it may react with a medication.
“All of those sort of what-if questions are excellent questions that we would absolutely want to know about, and have that conversation to help people,” said Koliaska.
In the greater Athabasca region, the vaccine rate is 14.7 per cent, well above the 12.2 per cent provincial rate. Barrhead is at 10.7 per cent and Westlock 13.4 per cent.
Across all three municipalities, the highest numbers are in the 60 to 75 plus age group and the lowest in the 12 to 19 age group.
Historically, Alberta has averaged 28.3 per cent coverage per year since 2010 but Koliaska says the real data is what’s inside that number.
“The immunization rates are one piece of the conversation,” she said. "Because what really matters is the circle … it can be an individual or the family unit or a community that you're speaking about.”
As long as the people who are most at risk of complications or fear spreading the virus to vulnerable people get vaccinated, that’s the important part, she said.
Alberta's influenza statistics can be found at https://www.alberta.ca/stats/influenza/influenza-statistics.htm and vaccines are available at participating pharmacies or at the local community health services: Athabasca – 780-675-2231; Barrhead – 780-674-3408; Westlock – 780-349-3316.
