As kids prepare to return to school, doctors are cautioning parents about an increase in respiratory viruses expected in the upcoming weeks. Recent data indicates that vaccination rates were below 50% last year, raising concerns among health officials.
Data from Ontario Public Health reveals that positivity rates for Influenza, COVID-19, and RSV are currently low but showing a slight upward trend. COVID-19 positivity in Ontario rose to 1.4% in mid-August, up from a low of 0.4% in July, according to the latest figures.
Dr. Dale Kalina Samji from McMaster University’s Infectious Disease Division emphasized the importance of being prepared for potentially severe flu seasons, drawing on experiences from the previous year. She highlighted that respiratory illnesses tend to surge as the weather cools down and children resume school and daycare, acting as carriers of infections to their families across different age groups.
A recent report by Merck Canada revealed that 48% of surveyed Canadians did not receive any respiratory vaccines in the past year, indicating a lack of awareness about available preventive measures. Dr. Alan Kaplan, chair of the Family Physician Airways Group of Canada, expressed concern over the low vaccination rates, especially among high-risk individuals.
Among those surveyed, only 44% received the flu vaccine, while 34% had the COVID-19 vaccine in the last 12 months. Additionally, 64% stated they were unlikely to engage with healthcare professionals to discuss respiratory illness prevention in the near future.
Emphasizing the importance of vaccination, doctors urge individuals to seek guidance from healthcare providers and pharmacists to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses. They underscore that prevention is key and advise parents to keep sick children at home to prevent the spread of infections.
The survey, conducted online between June 18 and June 23, 2026, among 1,000 Canadians aged 25 to 75, highlighted the need for increased awareness and proactive health management in the face of rising respiratory risks.
