Alberta To Immunize All Residents Against Influenza A (H1N1) By Fall

June 12, 2009 3:56 p.m. EST

Edmonton, Alberta (AHN) - Following the raising of the Influenza A (H1N1) alert level by the World Health Organization on Thursday to Phase 6, Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Andre Corriveau said the province has plans to immunize all residents of the province against the swine flu virus by fall.

While Alberta officials do not yet have an estimate of the cost of vaccinating all residents, expected to run to millions, a good indicator would be the $3.2 million the province spends yearly to vaccinate populations at risk against flu.

Premier Ed Stelmach told the Calgary Herald, "No matter what the costs are, we have to be prepared for it."

Corriveau added, "The Phase 6 designation in no way changes the level of preparedness this province already has in place.... Our preparations are going well, and Albertans should continue with their day-to-day activities, while exercising every precaution to avoid transmission of the virus."

Federal Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq aired a similar response. In a statement, Aglukkaq said, "Since the beginning, Canada has taken decisive action to address the H1N1 Flu Virus and protect Canadians.... Today's decision by the WHO does not change our approach. Entering Phase 6 means we will build on the surveillance and management measures that are already in place under the Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan."

If there are no constraints on the vaccine's availability, then anyone who wants to be immunized should receive a shot, Mark Loeb, a pandemic expert at McMaster University told the Herald.

Nearly 4,000 Canadians have been confirmed as contracting the H1N1 virus, including four who have died, according to the latest figures from the World Health Organization.