NANAIMO — It’s not even Halloween and already Influenza transmission has already begun to take hold.
Dr. Tribesty Nguyen, Island Health’s medical health officer for the Nanaimo/Oceanside region, said early season flu transmission speaks to the importance of getting vaccinated earlier in the season rather than later.
“We are seeing a bit of an early start to influenza activity in our community. What we’re seeing right now in terms of activity is at the same level as what we had seen last year around early to mid December.”
In reference to BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and Island Health data, Nguyen categorized influenza’s prevalence on the mid-Island as moderate, which he said generally aligns with transmission rates seen elsewhere on Vancouver Island and throughout B.C.
Nguyen noted current flu transmission rates are not corresponding to a rise of severe illnesses and hospitalizations for respiratory ailments.
“We do expect that the activity will continue to increase, we do expect more and more cases. At the current moment we do not see an increase in severity,” Dr. Nguyen told NanaimoNewsNOW.
He said this year’s flu vaccine was designed to combat two forms of Influenza ‘A’, and one strain of Influenza ‘B’.
Dr. Nguyen said it’s difficult to predict how prevalent the existing flu season will be on the mid-Island or abroad.
Regular hand-washing, eating well, exercise, and immunization are advised by the BCCDC to reduce the chances of catching the flu.
Risks of complications are greater for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, young children, and those with lung or heart diseases, certain chronic health problems, or weakened immune systems.
The B.C. government began its annual Get Vaccinated program earlier this month, which offers free flu and/or COVID-19 shots for all British Columbians who are at least six months old.
Nguyen said vulnerable populations are recommended to get an updated COVID-19 shot.
“We’re not making a recommendation to the general public or to those outside of those groups who are more particularly vulnerable, but at the same time it’s still available for free for anybody six months and above.”
Dr. Nguyen said COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths continue their downward trend in the province.
Those over the age of 75 and Indigenous people over 60 can take advantage of a free vaccine for RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry relayed earlier this month that the province had secured nearly two million flu vaccines.
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