B.C. health officials are urging people to get vaccinated sooner rather than later because this year’s flu virus is expected to be more aggressive than usual.
The H3N2 virus tends to affect older people and those with pre-existing chronic diseases.
According to Health Minister Terry Lake, there have already been five to six outbreaks at care facilities.
“This is a year where early evidence indicates that we have a very good match and that’s again even more reason for people to get the vaccine,” Lake said.
Two years ago the flu vaccine was largely ineffective, which caused some people to forego getting immunized last year.
“There was a five per cent dip in coverage,” said provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall.
But he said that shouldn’t deter people from getting the shot.
“Depending on the year and the strain, people estimate anywhere between three and five or 6,000 might die from influenza or its complications,” Kendall said.
The vaccine will be free for patients at risk of complications from the flu including kids under the age of five, anyone 65 or older, pregnant women, health care workers and emergency responders.
The virus spreads from coughing, sneezing or face-to-face contact and can be transmitted 24 hours before symptoms show, up to seven days after they begin.
More than 90 clinics will be available for eligible residents from Port Hardy to Victoria.
A full list of the clinics can be found on Island Health’s website.
With files from The Canadian Press
