Raise a weak and shaky hand if you had the flu over the holidays, or were nursing someone who did. It’s nasty stuff and marathon laundry runs and top-to-bottom house cleaning is not the best way to start the New Year.
How many people resolved, “I will not get sick.”?
We thought we were in the thick of it but the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit says we are approaching peak activity and as a result, promotions for free flu shots are ramping up again.
Seasonal influenza activity continues to increase in Canada, with greater numbers of influenza detections, hospitalizations and outbreaks being reported at the end of 2016, states the federal government.
According to the Government of Canada’s FluWatch report for the last two weeks of December, a total of 1,948 positive influenza detections were reported. Influenza A(H3N2) continues to be the most common subtype detected and 71 laboratory-confirmed influenza outbreaks were reported, with the majority occurring in long-term care facilities. Adults aged 65-plus years accounted for the largest proportion of hospitalizations and deaths reported from adult sentinel networks and participating provinces and territories.
Influenza activity started early this season, but so far activity has been lower than the 2014-2015 season, when there was a so-called mismatch between the vaccine and the flu strain subtypes circulating in the community, rendering the vaccine ineffective.
The government invests millions of dollars to provide the vaccine free of charge. Reportedly, 11.6 million doses of vaccine costs about $75 million.
Health care professionals advise people get the vaccine to protect themselves and the more vulnerable members of the community.
The flu vaccine is free and available through most local pharmacies, including Creemore, and health care providers. To find the nearest pharmacy giving the flu shot visit the website www.ontario.ca/flu.