Alberta NDP asking Premier Smith to support flu shot

The Alberta NDP is asking Premier Danielle Smith to encourage people to take the flu shot.

The party says in a release Smith was asked three times last week during Question Period to support the flu shot. They say she refused to do so.

Alberta’s NDP says the province is in a “crisis” when it comes to children’s health care, resulting in long wait times and surgery cancellations.

“Albertans need a premier that supports science,” said David Shepherd, NDP health critic. “It is standard for full government support to be offered for the flu shot. Elected officials’ words, especially during a crisis in health care, carry a lot of weight.

“It is long past time that Danielle Smith states public support for the flu shot, so that we can encourage more families to get immunized and help take the pressure off our hospitals.”

The Opposition says it’s also planning on asking the legislature to condemn the spread of misinformation regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.

The NDP says Shepherd will “introduce Motion 502 in the Legislature on Monday, which will call on the Legislative Assembly to affirm its trust in science-based research and the COVID-19 vaccine that has saved tens of thousands of lives.”

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The Opposition party says the motion will ask the assembly to publicly reject Paul Alexander’s claims the vaccine is a “bioweapon.” Alexander is a high-profile critic of COVID-19 science.

“Danielle Smith has devoted more time to promoting the work of conspiracy theorist Paul Alexander than she has to ending the chaos in public health care,” Shepherd said. “The COVID-19 vaccine gave us our lives back, and it must be supported by any and all credible elected leaders.”

CityNews reached out to Smith’s office but did not immediately receive a response.