"Toronto Public Health is urging doctors to prioritize vaccinating patients against the flu over the next week. It takes about two weeks for protection against the flu to kick in after getting vaccinated. In its weekly e-newsletter to doctors on Friday, the public health unit says the number of flu cases is rising in Toronto and Ontario. It says flu activity is likely to peak at the end of December or early January."
"The public health unit is asking health-care providers to remind patients that the vaccine can still help prevent severe illness and hospitalization even if it's not a perfect match. Preliminary data from the U.K. suggests that in the early days of its flu season this year, the shot provided 72 to 75 per cent protection against emergency department visits and hospitalizations for kids and adolescents between two and 17 years old."
Toronto Public Health urges doctors to prioritize vaccinating patients against the flu over the next week because flu cases are rising in Toronto and Ontario. Protection takes about two weeks after vaccination, so rapid action is advised with expected peak activity at late December or early January. The dominant H3N2 strain has mutated since vaccine development, but vaccination can still reduce severe illness and hospitalizations. Preliminary U.K. data indicate 72–75% protection against emergency visits and hospitalizations for children and adolescents, and 32–39% effectiveness for adults. Older adults face especially high risk and are strongly recommended to get vaccinated. Canadian data show flu cases rose sharply in November.
Read at www.cbc.ca
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