THUNDER BAY – After two years of low influenza numbers, residents could be heading into a more severe flu season this winter, local and provincial health authorities say.
Thunder Bay’s medical officer of health Dr. Janet DeMille said that like Ontario as a whole, the public health unit is observing an increased frequency of flu cases earlier than usual in the district.
“This is early for flu [season] – we would normally see our first case in November,” she said in a Friday interview.
“It’s very consistent with what we would see early in the flu surge… I’m expecting a surge that may really manifest over the next two [to] six weeks.”
Health authorities strongly encourage those at higher risk to get immunized now, noting it can take about two weeks after the shot to build up immunity.
“It’s here, so [we’re] definitely encouraging people, especially those that are high risk, to come for their vaccines,” said DeMille.
“Children 0 to 4 are actually considered high-risk regarding influenza,” she added.
According to the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), other groups at higher risk include those 65 and older, residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities, pregnant women, Indigenous people, and those with certain chronic health conditions.
The vaccine is also particularly recommended for those who interact with those higher risk groups, like household contacts and workers in health, child care, and other essential services.
The flu vaccine has been available to those groups through health care providers and pharmacies for several weeks, and will open to the general population in November.
More information about influenza and the flu vaccine is available at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit website, along with dates for upcoming clinics in district communities.
