H1N1 spike in Alberta prompts officials to open mass immunization centres

[tetano]

A surge in the number of flu cases in Alberta, the majority of which involve the H1N1 strain, has prompted health officials in the province to open mass immunization centres over the holidays.

Between Dec. 14 and Dec. 21, the number of flu cases in the Edmonton area rose from 65 to 125, with H1N1 accounting for more than 90 per cent of the cases. The vast majority of the 250 flu cases reported in Calgary since the end of August have also been H1N1. Alberta health officials have already blamed the virus for at least two deaths.

Across Canada, seven deaths have been linked to the H1N1 virus so far. At least four of them involved adults between the ages of 45-64.

Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/h1n1-sp...#ixzz2okVk3n5U

[tetano]

Re: H1N1 spike in Alberta prompts officials to open mass immunization centres

Demand for flu shots rises following H1N1 death

Following the death of an Edmonton man this week from H1N1, clinics around Edmonton offering flu shots on Friday were busy with parents and young children getting vaccinated.

Arisa Cox, host of Big Brother Canada, was getting immunized Friday afternoon at the Boonie Doon Health Centre along with her two kids, ages one and three. She said she was ?as concerned as anyone would be? about the risk of H1N1 but was just as worried about other variants of the flu.

?The flu?s bad too, that?s pretty awful as well, so I don?t think it?s any special concern we have for H1N1.?

She wanted to get immunized earlier in the year but ?our kids have been on-and-off sick and you can?t get it when you?re sick,? she explained. ?If you have kids, you know they get sick like once a month.?

On Friday, her husband was the one who was ill. She and her two children got the shot but he didn?t.

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http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Demand+shots+rises+following+H1N1+death/9328894/story.html