Tips as Flu Season Approaches

Public Health urges the flu shot, stay home if sick

Cold and flu season is right around the corner, and Niagara's top doctor is offering some advice to prevent illness. 

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Azim Kasmani is encouraging residents to get up to date on their flu and COVID vaccines. 

"One of the big things is getting the annual flu shot. And there's a new COVID-19 vaccine that is more closely matched to the new variants that are circulating."

He's also reminding people to stay home if they feel sick, and wash their hands often. 

This week, Niagara Region Public Health announced its first lab-confirmed case of the flu for the season. 

However, Kasmani adds he doesn't really know what to expect from this year's cold and flu season. 

"My crystal ball is broken," he notes. "It's hard to predict the future and know exactly what will happen."

He adds trends are similar across the province, but one major difference this season is there is a higher immunity to COVID-19. 

"Over 90% of our population has had a COVID-19 vaccine, at least the first couple of doses. That gives us some good strong protection that continues on. Many people people have had an infection as well, and that contributes to our immunity as well."

Kasmani also notes he thinks the government needs to do more to encourage people to stay home if they're sick.

"Policies like sick pay are so important, so going to the government to make that a policy priority would really help workers stay home, so they don't have to make a tough choice, if they're not going to get paid for example."

At the moment, the new XBB variant-focused COVID-19 vaccine is available to high risk individuals in Niagara, including

• Healthcare workers
• People aged 65 and older 
• Kids aged 6 months to four years old
• Pregnant women
• First Nation, Inuit or Métis individuals and their household members
• Residents and staff of congregate living settings
• Everyone six months of age and older with underlying health conditions