By Krunal Patel
Special to The Voice
As colours change and temperatures drop, it’s officially fall. While sweater weather and falling leaves are a welcomed change for many, it also means flu season is on the horizon.
When it comes to the flu, we often look to Australia’s flu season to help prepare for what’s in store for Canada, and from what we are seeing, Australia’s early start to flu season and high hospitalization rates for children is cause for concern.
With children being at greater risk, I’m reminding our community of the importance of preventive health measures as we head into a potentially challenging flu season. With children ages 5-10 making up a high proportion of children being hospitalized with the flu in Australia to date, it’s important that we take any precautions we can to prevent the spread of the flu and keep our most vulnerable community members safe. I’m sharing a few tips for preventing illness this flu season.
Getting your annual flu vaccination is one sure way to protect children against the flu this season. Flu vaccines can be lifesaving for children, significantly reducing their risk of flu-related death and also reducing risk of severe, life-threatening influenza by up to 75 per cent.
Influenza immunity wanes from year to year, so even if you got the flu shot last year, it is important to get vaccinated again for continued protection.
Despite the worst of COVID-19 seemingly being behind us, it taught us the importance and efficacy of wearing a mask to protect yourself, but more importantly to protect others. Wearing a mask covering your nose and mouth is a simple yet effective way to block the spread of germs, especially in public and enclosed spaces.
If you are looking to double down on protection, keep that mask handy for any outings in enclosed spaces.
Although it is more difficult for children to mask up, it could protect them against sickness.
Early signs suggest that this fall we may be not only combating the flu, but also another COVID-19 wave. With waning immunity, it’s recommended that this fall, Canadians should get another COVID-19 vaccine booster if it’s been at least six months since their last dose, or COVID infection.
This booster is particularly important for those at increased risk of COVID-19 which includes people 65-plus, long-term care residents, those with underlying medical conditions, pregnant people, First Nations, Métis and Init communities, people who are racialized, and those who provide essential community services.
- Krunal Patel is a pharmacist and owner of a Shoppers Drug Mart in Chatham.
