The temperature is dropping. Coincidentally, the number of cases of the flu and amount of flu shots being distributed has also gone down.
According to Alberta Health Services, the amount of cases of influenza have gone down compared to last year’s cold and flu season, with fewer lab confirmed cases of the flu.
During last year’s flu season, the number of Albertan flu shots distributed was just short of one million vaccines.
Emma McClure, Wellness Services Clinical Care Coordinator at Lethbridge College, who also specializes in immunizations, said the decrease in the number of immunizations being distributed is mostly due to misinformation.
“There are so many myths about the flu vaccine ‘being bad’ that are all over social media. It makes it very difficult for the up-to-date and accurate information to reach as many people,” added McClure.
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Regarding the number of cases of the flu going down, McClure also added the number of cases fluctuate every season, as the effectiveness of the vaccine also differs from year to year.
“The number of flu cases would be effected by the number of people vaccinated but also by the effectiveness of the vaccine. The influenza is a virus that is always changing, which is why we need a different vaccine each year to re protect ourselves,” McClure continued.
This year, there have been just under 50,000 confirmed cases of influenza being diagnosed in Alberta, just under 15,000 less cases than the 2018 cold and flu season.
McClure added that fluctuations in these numbers are because of how many Albertans getting vaccinated and the effectiveness of the vaccine.
Across the river, students at the University of Lethbridge prepared for this cold and flu season in various ways.
However, Tiara Audet, a first-year student at the University of Lethbridge, did not get a flu shot this season.
“To be honest, I just didn’t get one. If a bunch of my classmates are getting the shot, I should be ok,” said Audet.
McClure added that the best way that students and staff at Lethbridge College would be to get a flu shot, along with hand washing and avoiding contact with your eyes, nose and mouth.
