Lower uptake of flu shots this year

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Some health care providers are reporting a lower uptake of the flu shot this year. The vaccine became available to the public a bit later this season and some flu shot providers say they haven’t doled out as many doses as usual.

Last year’s vaccine wasn’t a very good match for the season’s prevalent strain of flu, it was only about 25% effective and some providers are speculating that may have turned people off.

Though the shot isn’t a perfect prevention method, it’s the best way to avoid the flu and this year’s vaccine is expected to be more effective. When fewer people get the vaccine, the virus spreads more quickly, meaning more people are exposed to it, that puts vulnerable people at risk.

Flu season is already underway, but infectious disease specialist, Dr. Jeff Pernica says it’s not too late to get vaccinated. “The really best time would’ve been two weeks ago, but there still is lots of time to get the flu shot because the flu season has just started in Hamilton.”

The Ministry of Health doesn’t track how many people get the flu shot until the end of flu season. This year, the vaccine is also available in a nasal spray for children.