Alberta flu expert concerned about lack of immunization

After a particularly deadly season last year, a flu expertin Alberta isworried too few people will get vaccinated this season especially healthy and young people.

Dr. James Dickinson, who studies influenza at the University of Calgary,says young adults mostly recover when they get the flu but cancarry the virus and spread it to othersmore vulnerable.

"We'd like to get more of those [young]people vaccinated," Dickinson said.

Record high for flu deaths

More than 100 Albertans died from flu-related illnesses in the last flu season a record high for the past two decades.Most of those deaths were of seniors.

Fewer than a third of Albertans got the flu shot last year, missingAlberta Health Services'target immunization rateof 45 per cent.

This season, the province hopes to get 40 per cent of people vaccinated.

Flu clinics will open across Alberta on Oct. 20.