VACCINE RESOURCE COMMITTEE

of the Edmonton Zone Medical Staff Association

View Full List of Vaccine Questions Here

COVID-19 Vaccine Question #1:

Why is getting the vaccine important if a person has cold or flu symptoms?

The range of symptoms may range from minor to severe disease, and can vary with different viruses. Some people can develop longer term symptoms such as post-infectious disease syndromes [examples include post-COVID condition, or multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)], pregnancy complications for mothers or infants, cardiovascular events, rare illness such as myocarditis or encephalitis, or even death. It is not predictable who will have a rare or serious complication, but it has been clearly demonstrated that vaccinations help to prevent severe outcomes and complications.

The symptoms of cold or influenza viruses can overlap so it is hard to tell them apart based on symptoms alone. A person can be contagious and spread to others without realizing they have a dangerous virus like influenza or COVID-19 or RSV.  Here is a summary diagram to illustrate this point:

Source: Geismar et al. (2023): Symptom profiles of community cases infected by influenza, RSV, rhinovirus, seasonal coronavirus, and SARS‑CoV‑2 variants of concern

In Alberta, these tables below present the cases, hospitalizations and deaths during the respiratory virus season for influenza, RSV and COVID-19 from August 25, 2024 to April 12, 2025. Current information can be viewed here. Note that the case numbers are underestimates because not everyone has access to testing.

Laboratory-confirmed seasonal influenza cases and severe outcomes in Alberta

Laboratory-confirmed RSV cases and severe outcomes in Alberta

Laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases and severe outcomes in Alberta