By Sheldon Spackman

It’s time to get that Flu Shot again. Alberta Health Services officials say Immunization Clinics are now open across the province, including here in Central Alberta. The immunizations are free of charge and open to all Albertans six months of age and older and available at each clinic, as well as some pharmacists and physician offices around the province.

“We are already seeing cases of influenza in Alberta,” says Dr. Christopher Sikora, Medical Officer of Health in the Edmonton Zone. “You may be healthy now but without immunization, everyone is at risk. Prevention is your only protection.”

The first Red Deer Clinic is at the Westerner Park Harvest Centre from 9:30-4:00pm October 24th, 12:30-7:30pm on Tuesday, October 25th and Saturday, October 29th from 9:30-4:00pm. Click here for more information on clinic dates and times:

http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/influ/

AHS officials say in six months alone last season, more than 1,600 Albertans were hospitalized with influenza and 62 Albertans died. Influenza causes more emergency department visits than heart attacks and strokes and hospitalizes more children than poisonings.