Â鶹ӳ»­

EDMONTON ¨C To help ensure the holiday season is a happy and healthy one, Â鶹ӳ»­ (AHS) is reminding all Â鶹ӳ»­ns to protect their health and get immunized against influenza and COVID-19.

More than one million Â鶹ӳ»­ns have stepped up to receive their influenza vaccine this season. While this is a good start, some Â鶹ӳ»­ns remain without protection.

The influenza vaccine is available to all Â鶹ӳ»­ns six months of age and older, free of charge. COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters, may also be offered during the same influenza vaccine appointment. It is safe for those five years of age and older to get their influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time.

AHS is offering vaccine through public health clinics to:

• children under five years of age and their family and household members. 
• individuals who live in a community where there are no other immunizing healthcare providers. 
• individuals who do not have a provincial health care number.

Children under five years of age must be immunized at an AHS clinic or participating doctor's office.

Â鶹ӳ»­ns five years of age and older can get immunized at participating pharmacies and doctor's offices. Some sites provide walk-in services. For more information, to book your influenza vaccine, or find the closest service near you, visit www.ahs.ca/vaccine or call Health Link at 811.

In addition to getting immunized, there are more ways you can protect yourself and loved ones from illness:

• Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and warm water after coughing, sneezing, using tissues or the washroom, and before eating or preparing foods. 
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing or coughing. If you don't have a tissue, always cough or sneeze into your arm, not into your hands. 
• Keep your hands and fingers away from your eyes, nose and mouth.   
• Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched often, such as doorknobs light switches, and counters. 
• Stay home ¨C from work, school, social activities and visiting anyone in care facilities ¨C when sick. 

Â鶹ӳ»­ is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Â鶹ӳ»­. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Â鶹ӳ»­ns.