Northern Health has an adequate supply of influenza vaccine, despite a province-wide shortage of the medication.
The provincial government issued a news release Thursday advising that due to a record number of people requesting a shot this year, some agencies are running short on doses, but Northern Health spokesman Jonathon Dyck said that's not the case in this region.
"We do have enough vaccine at the current time," Dyck said. "But we are redistributing it across the region to keep up with supply if needed."
Across the province, approximately 1.4 million have received a flu shot this year, which almost equals the government's initial order of 1.401 million doses. More have been ordered with about 5,000 expected to arrive in the province next week and 3,000 the following week.
New regulations put in place this year have allowed more people to access the free version of the flu shot as the province is encouraging anyone who plan to visit a hospital or urgent care facility to get the shot. High risk groups, like the elderly, the young, those with chronic illnesses and people who live with those in high risk groups had previously been covered in the free flu shot program.
According to the provincial government, this year's flu season hasn't been unusual in terms of the number of cases present or the severity of the illness, but the Ministry of Health has noticed that people who have gotten very sick from the bug are younger than in other years.
Northern Health will be holding a flu vaccine clinic on Friday at its facility at 1444 Edmonton St. from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Further clinics are scheduled for Jan. 24 and Jan. 31, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. both days.
