Get vaccine now before flu season peaks, health officials urge

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is urging people to get vaccinated as flu season in the capitalkicks off.

According to the health agency, there havebeenthree lab-confirmed cases of influenzainOttawa this season, as well as an outbreakearlier this weekat the Richmond Lodgeretirement facility that's now over.

"This is a great time for people to plan that vaccination appointment," said Dr. Vera Etches, Ottawa's medical officer of health."The peak of the illness is usually later in December."

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Etches said OPH has distributed over 90,000 doses of the flu vaccine to family doctors, hospitals and nurse practitioners,whilepharmaciesreceive their doses directly from the government.

She said although pharmacies are a convenient place forfamilies to get their shot,they don't immunize childrenunderfive.

"In that case, your options are to see your family doctoror your nurse practitioner or look up our clinics," said Etches.

Start planning for your flu shot, Ottawa Public Health says

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Dr. Vera Etches says flu season is starting to pick up in Ottawa, with several cases already confirmed.

OPH flu clinicsget underway on Nov. 2. and are located throughout the city. However,the flu vaccine this year will not be available in nasal spray formanywhere in thecountry, which means children will have to get a shot.

"We'll support you through it if you come to one of our clinics," said Etches."Our nurses are very good at calming children."

Widespread vaccine delays

Ontariohas beengrappling with distribution delays forthe vaccine, which means some peoplewill have to wait a little longer to get their shot.

According to the province, the issuestems from theWorld Health Organization taking longer to identify the common influenza strains circulating this year.

Meanwhile, the province'sbusiest children's hospital said it'spreparing for heavy patient loads as a result of the pressures to emergency services that the flu season brings.

In fact,CHEOsaid it's not ruling out the possibility of sending some young patients to other hospitals for treatment.