Experts warn this year’s flu shot may be a weaker match as season ramps up

Flu cases are on the rise across Nova Scotia.

As flu season settles in, health experts say this year’s vaccine may not be as strong a match as in previous years, but still offers valuable protection against serious illness.

Pharmacies across the province are already seeing a surge in people booking flu and COVID-19 shots as both viruses begin to circulate.

“This is a really busy time of year for pharmacies that are giving flu shots and COVID vaccines,” said Jamie Flynn, a pharmacist and pharmacy owner in Halifax. “Everyone wants to do what they can to lower the risk of getting viruses this year.”

However, experts say predicting the right flu strain is never an exact science.

Dr. Fahd Razak, an internal medicine specialist, said the flu vaccine is made months in advance based on patterns seen in other parts of the world, and sometimes, the virus changes too quickly for an exact match.

“You try and predict what’s going to emerge, but the virus mutates very quickly,” he said. “Some years the match is very good, and some year’s it’s not as good. We may be running into a situation this year where the match is not as good.”

The H3N2 strain, which led to a severe flu season in Australia earlier this year, is now being closely watched in Canada. Flynn said the effectiveness of the vaccine can range widely, often lowering a person’s risk of catching the flu by anywhere between 20 and 70 per cent.

“It’s never a perfect match,” he said. “Even if it’s not a great one, it still helps reduce your risk.”

Health experts warn that between flu and COVID-19, this winter could bring another wave of respiratory illness. Still, Flynn said vaccination remains one of the most effective wats to lower the risk.

“No one likes being sick,” he said. “It’s a simple step people can take this winter.”