GTA Health Alert: Flu Strikes Hard This Season

We are all familiar with the flu, and perhaps this familiarity makes us particularly vulnerable to it. For many immigrants from South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East who now call Canada home, the flu was often seen as unavoidable. The common belief was, “There’s no way a living, breathing person can escape it.” Schools, playgrounds, cinemas, restaurants, and any public gathering place were potential sources of infection. Unless one chose to live as a recluse, there were few viable solutions in sight.

However, relying on that viewpoint to dismiss our fear of the disease is misguided. Infections and diseases evolve and mutate. The flu virus we face today is not the same as in previous years. This is why medical professionals worldwide are especially concerned this season. A recent media report emphasized this concern when it announced in late November that a new flu virus mutation could lead to “the worst season in a decade.”

Dr Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, echoed this warning, urging residents to take the upcoming flu season seriously.

Influenza activity typically peaks around mid-December in some regions, and in Ontario, we are already there. If you haven’t received your flu shot yet, you are running late, as the vaccine takes about two weeks to become fully effective.

What can we do to minimize the severity of flu infections? As mothers and fathers, we know the drill: wash your hands frequently, cover your coughs and sneezes, regularly clean shared surfaces, and stay home if you are feeling unwell.

However, the most effective way to combat the flu is through vaccination. While the precautions above can help with symptom relief and care, the flu shot remains one of the best ways to protect ourselves since the vaccines available to us are formulated to cover multiple flu strains.

Getting vaccinated on time is our best defence against infection and, most importantly, against severe illness, hospitalization, and serious complications.

For your information, flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available across Toronto and the GTA for individuals aged 6 months and older at participating pharmacies, doctors’ offices, and public health units. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunization is also available for eligible groups, including adults aged 75 and older, infants, and pregnant women. Those at higher risk of severe illness are especially encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible.