Flu virus hits harder and earlier as some provinces adjust vaccination plans
Canadian health officials report an earlier and more severe start to the flu season, with positivity rates exceeding 5 percent. Provinces are adjusting vaccination strategies to address the surge and manage supply chain challenges.
Why it matters
Early flu activity poses a significant public health challenge, requiring precise timing for vaccination campaigns to ensure maximum efficacy.
A needle and syringe used to administer the flu shot. The percentage of positive flu tests crossed the 5-per-cent mark, according to the national FluWatch+ surveillance program. Tara Walton/The Canadian Press
The flu virus has hit earlier and harder this fall, forcing some provinces to adjust vaccination plans and adding urgency to the immunization campaign in Ontario, where seniors have reported difficulties obtaining shots.
The latest figures from the national FluWatch+ surveillance program, released Friday, show that the percentage of positive tests had crossed the 5-per-cent mark.
If the rate remains above that threshold next week, the start of the influenza season will be declared, according to the surveillance program.
For the week ending Oct. 10, the percentage of positive tests rose to 5.3 per cent, from 4.7 per cent the previous week. In British Columbia, the province with the highest flu activity, the positivity rate was 14.9 per cent.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in