CTV News Edmonton has reported:

Alberta has directed pharmacies across the province to start booking flu vaccinations if doses are in stock, after this year’s sickness season began earlier than expected. The change moves up a rollout previously scheduled to begin Oct. 19. More than 400 influenza cases have already been reported in Alberta this flu season, alongside earlier-than-expected illnesses related to flu and COVID-19.

Warren Thirsk, an emergency room doctor at Royal Alexandra Hospital, said medical officials have been raising concerns about the early spread. “It’s hard to predict the future, but I think that we are not prepared like we want to be because the hospitals are full, the vaccines haven’t come out, so we can’t even protect health-care workers,” he told CTV News Edmonton. “Our health-care workers are getting sick like everyone else right now in Alberta.”

Dr. Lynora Saxinger of the University of Alberta Hospital said the most potent strain this year is spreading aggressively “because it’s different enough that people don’t have stored immunity … the way we often do.” She urged people to get vaccinated promptly. “I would say book to get (the shot) as soon as you can, because it looks like it’s going to be active early, and you do need a little bit of lead time for your body to respond to the vaccine,” she told CTV News Edmonton.

The province recommends calling a local pharmacy first to check whether vaccines are ready. Immunizations have already started for vulnerable or immunocompromised Albertans. Other appointments can be booked online or by calling Health Link at 811. The report included files from CTV News Edmonton’s Curtis Goodrum.