Flu season is underway and the flu shot is now available at clinics and pharmacies across BC.
Although the flu is often mild, it still has a huge impact every year.
“Influenza is a disease that every year in BC causes several thousand people to be hospitalized and causes several hundred deaths,” says Dr. Andrew Gray, Northern Health’s Northern Interior Health Officer. “The people especially at risk for these complications are older people and people with chronic disease.”
Somewhere between 5-10% of the population gets the flu every year. At 60% efficacy, Dr. Gray says for a family of 5, getting the flu shot can mean the difference between everyone getting sick and only two people coming down with the flu.
In some years, the efficacy of flu vaccines has dropped as low as 30% but Dr. Gray says early indicators say this year will be better.
“It’s too early to say with any confidence what this flu season will be like but it’s suspected to be maybe a little bit worse – a strain that affects older people, people at higher risk a little bit more. It could make people a little bit sicker but it’s also expected that our flu vaccine could be a pretty good match this year.”
There are other steps that you can take to help keep yourself and your family flu-free this winter.
“Washing your hands regularly. If you do have a cough, covering your cough. Disposing of your tissues in the garbage. If you do get sick, staying home and the most effective thing that you can do to protect yourself is to get an influenza vaccine.”
You can see if you’re eligible for a free flu shot and find your nearest flu clinic at Northern Health or Immunize BC.
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