VancouverMETRO VANCOUVER NEWS
B.C. has the highest flu numbers in Canada, Health Canada says
Health Canada says more than five per cent of flu tests in B.C. were positive in the week of Oct. 4, with H1N1 accounting for 98.4 per cent of detections. People aged 65 and older were most affected as the province's flu season appears to have started early.
New data from Health Canada show that flu season is arriving a little earlier than usual in B.C., which is leading the country in flu numbers. More than five per cent of tests detected influenza in the week of Oct. 4. Influenza A(H1N1) was the most common detection, at 98.4 per cent, and people aged 65 and older were the population most affected.
Dr. Brian Conway, medical director of the Vancouver Infectious Disease Centre and the Vancouver Urban Health Centre, said the figures indicate flu season has started slightly earlier than usual. He said a respiratory virus season is declared when test positivity exceeds five per cent. Rates were above 14 per cent at the end of September, he said, adding that flu is circulating. Conway said B.C. should have anticipated an earlier start because flu season began early in the Yukon. He added that cases are increasing and hospitalizations are beginning.
Conway noted that Dr. Bonnie Henry announced the vaccine program a week or 10 days earlier than usual. Henry said free vaccines will be available this season for influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and pneumococcal disease. She said people at higher risk of serious illness from influenza or COVID-19 should prioritize vaccination. Health-care workers are strongly urged to get the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.
Infants and children under five are at higher risk of serious illness from influenza. For both influenza and COVID-19, other higher-risk groups include people aged 65 and older, pregnant people, people living in long-term care, Indigenous people and those with chronic conditions. Conway said the goal is to vaccinate 50 per cent of the general population and 80 per cent of the high-risk population. He acknowledged that vaccines have side effects, but said they wear off in almost all cases and vaccination provides protection for the season. For people concerned about side effects, he suggested taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen and avoiding pressing commitments the following day. He said this applies to flu and COVID-19 shots.
Booking notifications for higher-risk populations began Oct. 5, with appointments starting Tuesday, Oct. 13. Notifications will continue and expand to the general population through early November 2026, sent through the Get Vaccinated registration system. People who are not registered can sign up online or by calling 1-833-838-2323.