Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Arlene King, is urging Ontarians to get their flu shot if they have not already done so due to high levels of influenza activity in the province.
Weekly reports from the health care frontline show high numbers of patients with influenza-like symptoms visiting doctors’ offices and emergency rooms, and higher numbers than usual of lab-confirmed influenza cases, especially in southwestern and eastern Ontario.
The province is also experiencing more respiratory infection outbreaks in institutions such as long-term care homes.
To date, most of the confirmed influenza cases and outbreaks are due to the influenza A (H3N2) virus. Commonly, when H3N2 is the main circulating influenza virus, illness tends to be more severe. This year’s flu vaccine is well matched to the influenza A (H3N2) strain circulating throughout Ontario.
The flu vaccine is provided free of charge to everyone six months of age and older who lives, works or attends school in Ontario.
Flu shots are available at doctors’ offices, participating pharmacies and through local public health units.
If you do get sick, there are a number of steps you can take to prevent the spread of illness to friends and family, such as washing your hands thoroughly and often, sneezing and coughing into your sleeve, and staying home when you’re sick.
Individuals with respiratory illness symptoms are encouraged to access the Flu Assessment Tool at www.ontario.ca/flu.
Consultation with registered nurses is also available by calling Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007).
