‘Respiratory season’s upon us’: What you need to know about flu, COVID, RSV immunization rollout
By editor/reporter Sarah Hyatt
Influenza season has arrived earlier-than-normal – and rollout of flu and COVID-19 immunizations is underway, the province has announced.
As part of its fall immunization program, the province has announced flu and COVID-19 jabs have started rolling out for high-risk groups as of last week and access will expand to the general public starting Oct. 26.
“Respiratory season’s upon us,” Northumberland’s medical officer of health (MOH) Dr. Thomas Piggott with Lakelands Public Health told the Independent. “We know every year this hits us, and it’s important to roll up our sleeves come fall for protection that vaccines provide.
“Only about a third of Canadians do get the flu shot every year – and I think that’s too bad because for everyone it’s important protection.”
As previously reported, Lakelands Public Health earlier this month confirmed the first lab-confirmed case of Influenza A for the region in Peterborough, marking an earlier-than-normal start to the respiratory virus season.
Virus activity hasn’t been high so far whatsoever, but there have been lab-confirmed cases in other areas, too. And the normal “peak” season still isn’t anticipated until closer to the new year, although it can vary.
While it was anticipated vaccine rollout by the province would start in October, the province has now announced a more detailed timeline.
Provincial officials are also echoing the call for people to get their flu and COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they’re available, as well as RSV immunizations for those who are eligible, to help prevent serious illness and keep communities healthy this fall and winter.
In a recent release, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones said the province continues to work with health-care partners to ensure everyone has timely and convenient access to immunizations close to home.
According to the province, the initial supply of COVID-19 and flu vaccines will be available for high-risk and priority groups who live, work or study in Ontario starting the week of Sept. 28. This will include hospitalized patients, hospital staff, residents and staff in long-term care and retirement homes, as well as other congregate settings, and individuals ages 65 and older.
Then, starting Oct. 26, free flu and COVID-19 shots will be available to the general public at participating pharmacies, public health units and participating doctor and nurse practitioner offices.
Ontario has also announced an expansion to the adult RSV prevention program, saying residents ages 60 to 74 who meet certain high-risk criteria or who live in specific higher-risk settings – in addition to those 75 years of age and old – will now be eligible for RSV vaccines, Abrysvo or Arexvy, at any time during the year.
Further, as of Oct. 1, provincial officials said eligible newborns and infants up to eight months of age in their first RSV season and high-risk kids up to 24 months of age in their second RSV season can get the Beyfortus immunization.
Pregnant women also have the option to get the RSV vaccine from an obstetrician, midwife or primary-care provider to help protect their infant at birth, said the province, in its release.
“With respiratory illness season approaching, I encourage our most vulnerable to take steps to protect themselves and their loved ones,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “Staying up-to-date on recommended immunizations remains one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of serious illness, helping to keep our communities healthy, maximizing the impact of our public health programs and delivering greater value for Ontarians.”
As always, people are encouraged to talk to a health-care provider about vaccines and eligibility and check availability of immunizations by calling ahead as supply may vary across providers, noted officials.
“For older residents of the region and for children, it can be life-saving,” added Piggott, on the importance of the flu shot. “We know last year there were three deaths of young children in Ontario from influenza.
“It is a deadly virus, and it does kill about 6,000 Canadians every year – about the same number of people who die from breast cancer every year die from influenza, and we know that it’s preventable.”
Beyond influenza, Piggott is also encouraging the call for people to roll up their sleeves for COVID-19 and RSV immunizations, saying they’re still relevant – and not just for people at-risk of severe disease and death but also in the case of COVID-19 to prevent long COVID or post-COVID exacerbations.
“I still get my COVID vaccine every year and would encourage residents to think about that, too.”
Piggott added that the RSV vaccine provides important coverage for “a virus that can be quite severe and deadly.”
“For the infant vaccination that we’ve had for the last couple of years, we’ve seen a super impressive … 75 per cent reduction in hospitalizations (approximately) due to RSV since the vaccines come about,” he noted. “That reduces strain on the health-care system, but it also prevents infections that are really scary.”
Piggott has also been encouraging residents with questions or who are looking for additional information to inform a decision to reach out to health unit staff.
Dr. Rebecca Hicks, president of the Ontario Medical Association, is also among leaders who have been echoing the call around the importance of vaccinations this season.
“Vaccines are one of the safest, simplest and most effective ways we can protect ourselves and the people we care about from serious illness,” said Hicks. “We are encouraged by the province’s recent expansion to the RSV prevention program, which will help protect Ontarians.
“As a family physician, I encourage Ontarians to make immunization part of their health-care planning this fall. These steps can make a real difference for the people in our communities who are most vulnerable.”
Comments