It’s not too late for a flu shot, as cases rise
This season’s primary strain is particularly hard on older people, health official warns
The number of influenza cases is expected to rise this month, so a flu shot is still strongly advised by health officials.
“We typically tend to see the rates really go up closer to the end of December, into January,” said Dr. Dee Hoyano, a medical health officer with Island Health.
She said demand for the vaccine is high in Island Health’s jurisdiction. There were 260,000 doses of vaccine ordered for the current flu season, and more can be obtained if needed.
“We’ve distributed a ton of flu vaccine this year and the demand from pharmacists and physicians has been very high,” Hoyano said.
Last year saw 231,354 doses of vaccine taken.
The primary strain of flu this year appears to be H3N2, which can be particularly hard on the elderly.
A flu shot is always a good idea, she said, adding that it is unusual for it to cause any major side-effects.
Hoyano said people should try to make the time for a shot, despite this being a busy time of year.
“The sooner you get a shot, the better. Now is the time to get prepared,” she said. “With Christmas coming up, lots of people have other things on their mind, so it’s a good idea to get it done before you get caught up in the holidays.”
Frequent hand washing is also important in fending off the flu, Hoyano said.
Each year in Canada, influenza leads to more than 12,000 hospitalizations and kills 3,500 people. Among the most vulnerable are young children, older adults and people with chronic illness.
The flu season has not yet brought any surprises, Hoyano said.
“We’re definitely seeing some increased activity, but it’s kind of normal for what we expect this time of year,” she said. “So we have seen some cases but … we don’t have a lot of people in hospital, for example, with flu at this point.”
Hoyano said there was a spike in respiratory illness about a month ago, “but that wasn’t primarily the flu.” A North Island care home had an outbreak of influenza B, but it did not spread beyond the facility, she said.
For details on where to get a flu shot, go to the Island Health website at viha.ca/flu or the Immunize B.C. website at immunizebc.ca/clinics/flu.