Alberta sees surge in pediatric flu admissions at Stollery Hospital
Children’s flu cases are rising sharply at Stollery Children’s Hospital, prompting concerns about hospital capacity and low vaccination rates in Alberta.
Flu activity has accelerated in Alberta, with Stollery Children’s Hospital seeing a notable rise in pediatric admissions and emergency visits. Dr. Shazma Mithani, an emergency physician at both the Royal Alexandra Hospital and Stollery, explained that children are arriving with a range of severity, from those who can be discharged after treatment to those requiring inpatient care. One outlet flu vaccine appears to be a good match for the circulating strain, yet vaccination rates across the province are described as poor and well below the 80-85 percent threshold for herd immunity.
At admission, children undergo respiratory swabs to identify flu, COVID, RSV, or co-infections, and are placed under isolation precautions as needed. Officials caution that the increasing case numbers may challenge hospital capacity during the upcoming winter months, especially for children with underlying health conditions. The flu remains one of Canada’s leading causes of death, underscoring the importance of vaccination and basic preventive measures.
