Amy Nunez was disappointed in mid-October when she tried to book her three-year-old in for the flu shot in St. Albert only to be told told they were only doing routine vaccinations.
But as of Oct. 26, that changed. Parents can now book flu immunizations for children under five years of age in St. Albert.
Alberta Health Services is not offering an explanation as to why the clinic only became available a week after the official start date of flu immunizations, but Nunez is happy with the change.
“Rather than putting it off, at least I can go get it now and be a little bit more confident that we can stay in our own city,” said Nunez.
Initially, she was told that she would have to take her children to Morinville or Edmonton, which was something she didn’t want to do.
“I had considered going to the Morinville one. I didn't want to go into Edmonton just because the numbers are so high. And so, you know, now, it's like, we're kind of staying on track,” she said.
AHS recommends that young children between the ages of six months and under five get immunized. Children in this age group are more likely to be hospitalized if they get the flu. They are also more likely to experience breathing problems and they have a higher chance of getting pneumonia.
It takes around two weeks after immunization for antibodies against influenza to develop. If a child is receiving a vaccine for the first time, they are required to get a second dose two months later.
Appointments for vaccinations can be booked online with AHS.
