Toronto Public Health is advising doctors to prioritize flu vaccinations for patients in the coming week. It typically takes around two weeks for the flu vaccine to provide full protection.
With flu cases on the rise in Toronto and Ontario, the public health unit highlighted in its recent newsletter to healthcare providers the importance of swift vaccination. Flu activity is expected to peak by the end of December or early January, making it crucial to target unvaccinated individuals, especially those at higher risk of severe illness.
The current dominant flu strain, H3N2, has undergone mutations since the vaccine was formulated months ago. Despite this, health-care providers are encouraged to emphasize to patients that the vaccine can still offer valuable protection against severe illness and hospitalization.
Recent data from the U.K. indicates that this year’s flu shot has provided significant protection, with a 72 to 75 per cent effectiveness rate in preventing emergency department visits and hospitalizations among children and adolescents aged two to 17. For adults, the shot showed 32 to 39 per cent effectiveness.
Given that older adults are particularly vulnerable to serious flu complications, doctors are strongly recommending that they prioritize getting vaccinated. Public Health Agency of Canada data reveals a sharp increase in flu cases since November.
Keyphrase: flu vaccination priorities