British Columbia leads the country as flu season arrives early

Health Canada data show British Columbia has the highest flu numbers in the country, with more than five per cent of tests detecting influenza in the week of Oct 4.

Detections that were H1N1

98.4 %

Influenza A(H1N1) made up 98.4 per cent of detections, and people aged 65 and older were the most affected.

“When test positivity exceeds five per cent, we declare the beginning of the respiratory virus season.”

— Dr. Brian Conway, Vancouver Infectious Disease Centre

Free vaccines this season

• Influenza
• COVID-19
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• Pneumococcal disease

Dr. Bonnie Henry says free vaccines are available in the province this season against influenza, COVID-19, RSV and pneumococcal disease.

How to get the shot