Canada · 18 d ago
The flu hits earlier and harder this fall, and some provinces move up vaccination
Positive flu tests, week ending Oct 10
5.3 %
The share of positive flu tests rose to 5.3 per cent in the week ending Oct 10, from 4.7 per cent, according to the national FluWatch+ program. If it stays above 5 per cent next week, the flu season will be declared.
British Columbia has the highest flu activity, with a positivity rate of 14.9 per cent. The main strain so far is influenza A (H1N1), which can hit younger adults and pregnant women hard.
Provinces that moved early
- P.E.I.: pop-up clinics on Oct 7
- Nova Scotia: appointments from Oct 9
- Alberta: shots as soon as doses arrive
Prince Edward Island held pop-up clinics on Oct 7 and Nova Scotia opened appointments on Oct 9. Alberta told pharmacies to give shots as soon as doses arrive, ahead of its Oct 19 launch.
In Ontario, seniors report struggling to book shots, some not before Oct 28 or Nov 1. The Ministry of Health says 679,000 doses were distributed as of Oct 8, with priority to hospitals and long-term care homes.
And us?
What to know
Quebec's campaign begins Oct 20, with free shots only for vulnerable groups, including people 65 and over and pregnant women. Others can expect to pay $30 to $40 at a pharmacy.
