Influenza is hitting hard. Data shows fewer Canadians got their flu shot
Global News
Most provinces and at least one territory report declines in people getting their flu shot compared to last year, with doctors warning of the strain it could pose to hospitals.
Most Canadian provinces and at least one territory say fewer people got the flu shot this year than in previous year — and that comes as the number of influenza cases continues to rise across the country.
There have been at least 11,790 cases of influenza detected in Canada as of the week ending Feb. 15, according to data from the Government of Canada. The percentage of positive tests has reached the highest it’s been since the start of the 2020-21 season at 26.9 per cent.
There have also been 103 new outbreaks associated with influenza nationwide.
One such outbreak is in Ontario’s Niagara Region.
“This has been one of the most significant outbreaks of influenza in a decade,” said Dr. Karim Ali, the medical director for infection, prevention and control and head of service, infectious diseases for Niagara Health.
“I don’t want to unnecessarily alarm everybody, but at the same time, I want people to take this very seriously, too.”
Between Feb. 9 and Feb. 15, the region’s public health agency reported a total of 131 influenza A cases and two influenza B cases. Since September, 935 total cases have been reported.
Ali said a “key factor” appears to be the drop in people getting the flu shot.
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