Fewer flu shots have been delivered in the Five Hills Health Region (FHHR) so far this fall.

FHHR hosted clinics across the region for 4-weeks, beginning October 19 and the numbers are in.

"Overall there's been about 7500 individuals immunized," says Medical Health Officer Dr. Shauna Hudson, who says that's a 25 per cent decrease from this time last year. She also said that decrease has been consistent throughout all age brackets. 

Hudson says there is still "a lot of opportunity for people to get immunized" and suggests doing it ahead of the Christmas season. 

"A lot of the transmission of the influenza virus occurs when we gather in groups, and that is largely going to be over the holiday season. At Christmas time we see our grandparents...they're at higher risk of dying of influenza or being hospitalized with pneumonia."

Every year, health officials have to make educated guesses as to what strain of flu will be prevalent during flu season, and in 2014 the vaccine was only about 20 per cent effective against the H3N2 strain.  We asked Dr. Hudson when we would know how successful this year's vaccine will be - she said it's too early to tell. 

"Right now the activity in terms of influenza in Canada is sporadic in most provinces, which is another reason why it's a good idea to get (the vaccine) now. We're not seeing an early upswing in flu..if there isn't a lot of flu (soon) then it will be closer to the end of flu season when we'll have that answer (as to the vaccine's effectiveness)."

Although the public flu clinic schedule has ended, you are still able to book a flu shot through March.  You can either call Public Health at 306-691-1500 or book your flu shot from a local pharmacy.