What to know about this year’s flu shot – CTV

Oct. 17, 2022

With flu season back in swing, Canadians are encouraged to get their annual flu shot. This year’s influenza vaccine rollout might be more crucial than ever, experts say.

“One thing that we need to remember is that because there were fewer influenza infections over the last two years because of the COVID-19 restrictions, … the population, in general, is (now) more susceptible to influenza,” Dr. Jesse Papenburg, Montreal-based pediatric infectious disease specialist, told CTV’s Your Morning on Monday.

“So I think that this year, we should expect to see a lot of influenza infections and the best way to protect yourself against getting an infection and against getting severe disease is to get vaccinated against influenza this fall.”

Relatively low circulation of the flu over the past two years puts young children at greater risk than usual of catching it this fall and winter, experts warned last week. They also fear fewer pandemic measures and reduced vaccination uptake will lead to further virus spread.

Read more: https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/what-to-know-about-this-year-s-flu-shot-1.6112202