‘We’re not out of the woods’: Alberta seeing increased flu cases amidst lower vaccination rates

A local doctor says a spike in reported flu cases is late in the season.

Alberta residents are experiencing a spike in reported flu cases, however some warn the data could foreshadow a greater rise in the weeks to come.

According to the Alberta respiratory virus dashboard, there have been nearly 6,800 reported cases of influenza since Feb. 15. In 2024, there were more than 16,000 cases total.

Dr. Nathan Beahm, an associate clinical professor with the U of A, told CTV News Edmonton how this year’s numbers aren’t telling the entire story.

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“We certainly seem to have more cases in February this year than we have had in the last couple of Februarys,” Dr. Baehm said on Tuesday, adding how the reported cases started later than usual this year.

“The actual true number of cases right now would likely be quite a bit higher than what is reported,” he said.

He said the reported cases come from patients getting tested when visiting their family doctor.

Wastewater data also shows there’s a “moderate amount of influenza circulating” within the province.

According to Dr. Beahm, our flu season can extend into May with multiple smaller spikes left in the season.

In Alberta, just over one million people received their flu vaccines – about 20.5 per cent of coverage – this season. Last year’s coverage came in at around 24 per cent with nearly 1.15 million Albertans getting vaccinated.

Dr. Beahm said there are a number of reasons why residents are reluctant towards vaccinations.

“Some of the patients that I see in the clinic where I work, most of them are not actively choosing not to (get vaccinated). A lot of them just say, ‘Oh yeah, (I’ve been) meaning to do it, just haven’t gotten around to it,’” he said.

“Whether it’s vaccine fatigue or just not prioritizing it enough, for a variety of reasons … a lot of them are willing to get it, they just haven’t gotten around to it yet.”

He said while the province is “not out of the woods” yet, proper preventative measures including hand washing and minimizing contact with people if ill, can prevent illness.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Amanda Anderson