Canada · 12 d ago
Canada's flu season starts about seven weeks early as vaccines roll out
This year
6.1%
Last year
0.8%
Health Canada data show 6.1 per cent of tests detected influenza in the week ending Oct 17. The epidemic threshold is five per cent, a mark Canada did not pass until mid-November last year.
“It's still within the range of not being unusual, but it absolutely started earlier.”
— Dr. Isaac Bogoch, infectious disease specialist
The dominant strain is H1N1, and this year's vaccine covers it. Doctors say the shot cuts the risk of hospitalization or death by almost 50 per cent.
Where to get the shot
Ontario opens flu shot appointments to everyone on Oct 26. Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec are already offering them.
