Individuals can now head to bookvaccine.alberta.ca to book free-of-charge flu vaccinations, with appointments starting Monday, Oct. 18 at participating pharmacies and Alberta Health Services’ public health clinics.

If appointments are not available online in your area, Albertans can phone their local pharmacy or doctor’s office to learn when influenza vaccinations will be available. Albertans can also contact Health Link at 811 to book appointments and participating pharmacies will be welcoming drop-ins starting Monday, Oct. 18.

“Getting immunized has never been more important as Alberta hospitals are at capacity, strained to provide care for very sick people, including those with COVID-19. We must do all that we can to protect ourselves, our families and our neighbours from COVID-19 as well as the flu. Getting immunized will help stop the spread of influenza, reduce flu-related visits to the emergency ward and help our health system provide care to those in need.”

Recent studies and reviews have confirmed it is safe for people to get their influenza vaccine at the same time as their COVID-19 vaccine, so there is no need to delay either of the immunizations.

During last year’s influenza season, a record 37 per cent of Albertans were immunized compared to 33 per cent the year before. Alberta had no lab-confirmed influenza cases and no flu-related deaths in the 2020/21 influenza season.

“Let’s do even better than last year when we came forward in record numbers to get our flu vaccine, washed our hands regularly, covered our sneezes and stayed home when we were sick. And, if you haven’t already done so, consider also getting the COVID-19 vaccine. This is something each of us can do to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our health-care system that we all rely on.”

“More than 19 months into the pandemic response, we encourage Albertans to roll up their sleeves again this year and get immunized against influenza. By keeping the number of influenza cases low, we can help protect at-risk Albertans and reduce the pressure on our health-care system. Now more than ever before we need to work together to protect each other and our health-care system.”

This year, Albertans aged 65 years and older are eligible to receive a high-dose flu vaccine, while those ages six months to 64 years will receive the regular dose. Both formulations protect people from four common strains of the influenza virus.

Quick facts

• Influenza is a respiratory virus that can cause serious illness and death, particularly in vulnerable groups like seniors, young children, pregnant women and those with chronic health conditions.
• Alberta’s government has ordered 2.1 million doses of influenza vaccine to help protect the health of Albertans.
• Individuals can book influenza vaccinations through the online tool, by calling their local pharmacy or physicians’ office, or Health Link at 811.
• If you need to book multiple immunization appointments for you and family members, call Health Link at 811 for help finding and booking convenient appointment times.
  • If you have children under age 5 in your house, immunizations will be booked for everyone at an AHS public health clinic.
  • People age five and up will be booked at participating pharmacies.
• The online booking tool is being updated and refined to allow people to book multiple appointments soon (i.e. COVID-19 and influenza).
• In the 2020/2021 influenza season, Alberta had no lab-confirmed seasonal flu cases and no flu-related deaths.
  • That compares to 8,470 confirmed cases of the virus in 2019-2020, and 41 deaths.