Makanont: Public health warns of potential early start to severe flu season

Niagara Region Public Health reported its first case of seasonal influenza Wednesday, although vaccines against the latest strains won’t be available for another month.

After countries in the southern hemisphere saw an early start to a severe flu season earlier this year, Dr. Joanne Kearon fears the same thing could happen here.

“We have good reason to be concerned,” said Kearon, a resident physician working with public health.

“However, at this point, it is difficult to confirm yet that this is what we are seeing — this may still be within the realm of what we have seen in previous years, or this may also just be us doing a better job of detecting influenza transmission.”

In each of the three seasons before COVID-19 pandemic restrictions all but eliminated the spread of seasonal influenza, she said the region’s first cases of the flu were all identified in September, although they may have been travel-related.

She said the province is conducting nine to 10 times more influenza tests compared to historically at this time of year, and so far, positivity is similar to previous years at one to two per cent.

Still, in a media release, Kearon said influenza and other respiratory viruses can be expected to “make a strong comeback this fall, alongside another surge of COVID-19,” as a result of the relaxation of most measures to prevent spread of the coronavirus.

“Being up to date on vaccines, wearing masks and staying home when sick will keep ourselves and our loved ones healthy,” she said.

Influenza vaccinations will not be available until October, and will at first be limited for high-risk people, such pregnant women, the elderly, young children, Indigenous people and people with chronic health conditions.

By the start of November, it should be available for everyone older than six months of age, accessible at pharmacies, doctors offices and some public health clinics.

It offers protection for people who receive it as well as others they come in contact with.

Influenza vaccines can also be administered at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine, so there is no time interval that is required to wait between doses.