Albertans can get flu and COVID shots in one appointment as fall flu season begins

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Sarah Peterson left Northgate Community Health Center Monday with two sore arms.

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She got her flu shot in one arm and then turned around to allow the bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine to go into the other. It’s the first time Albertans can book their influenza and COVID vaccinations together, with the latest booster shot being rolled out around the same time as the annual flu vaccination campaign.

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The flu vaccine is now available at Alberta Health Service clinics, pharmacies and some doctor’s offices. Anyone over the age of five can get a flu shot and a COVID shot at the same time.

Peterson is completing her degree in occupational therapy, which often involves working with people with health conditions that put her at risk, and her fiancé is also immunocompromised.

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With the added immunization coverage, “we both feel safer going out into the community,” she said.

“And there’s not this anxious feeling that I might bring something home for him.”

In Alberta, Moderna’s bivalent COVID vaccine, targeting subvariant BA.1, is only available to adults 18 years and older. Pfizer’s bivalent vaccine, targeting subvariants BA.4 and BA.5, will be available to people ages 12 and older starting Oct. 24.

Public health experts have advised taking the COVID booster available if you are eligible, particularly if it has been more than five months since your last vaccination.

The bivalent booster shot can be given to people who already have at least one first “primary series” of COVID vaccines, which means two previous shots for most. A booster shot is recommended as long as it has been five months since you last contracted COVID or received a COVID vaccine. Some who may be at high risk from the disease can receive the booster after a shorter three-month waiting period.

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Doctors expect a worse flu season compared to previous years

So far in 2022, there have been 40 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza in Alberta.

dr Kristin Klein, AHS chief health officer for communicable diseases, said flu shots are especially important this year because the COVID restrictions that have stifled the spread of the flu for the past two years are no longer in effect.

“I definitely expect it’s going to be worse than it’s been in recent years,” she said.

Young children and adults over 65 are at greater risk of serious health problems from influenza, and vaccination doesn’t guarantee you won’t get the flu, but it does reduce your chances of getting it and spreading it to others.

Looking at other Southern Hemisphere countries where flu season occurs in our summer months, Klein said there’s increased flu activity after a few “atypical” years.

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“So that means we’re likely to see several thousand cases, as well as the impact on our hospitals and intensive care units.”

Klein added that there is understandable COVID-related fatigue at this point, but the start of flu season is a good reminder to assess your immune protection.

“Having the convenience of offering both vaccines on the same date this fall, I really hope people will take this opportunity and come to get vaccinated.”

Alberta residents can book flu and COVID vaccines at bookvaccine.alberta.ca, by calling 811, or by contacting a local pharmacy. Some pharmacies also offer consultation hours.

Children between the ages of six months and five years must be vaccinated at an AHS clinic or doctor’s office. They are also the only group who cannot receive both vaccines at the same time and instead have to wait 14 days between vaccinations.

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