Paediatricians to Canadian parents: Get the flu shot now

OTTAWA – The Canadian Paediatric Society is urging families—especially those with young children—to have everyone in the household vaccinated against influenza as soon as possible.

The Public Health Agency of Canada reported this week the start of a flu epidemic, with influenza levels higher than in previous years, and starting more than a month earlier than in pre-pandemic times. In the first week of November, children and youth under 19 years old accounted for 64% of reported influenza detections.

“Influenza vaccine is safe for children and youth and is especially important for young children, who are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill from influenza,” said Dr. Laura Sauvé, Chair of the CPS Infectious Diseases and Immunization Committee.

This spike in influenza coincides with a surge of other respiratory illnesses—such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19—among children and youth, threatening to overwhelm paediatric hospitals across the country.

The CPS and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommend that all children over 6 months receive an annual influenza vaccine.

Children under 5 years and who have chronic health conditions are especially at risk of being hospitalized if they contract influenza. In recent weeks, the IMPACT surveillance network has reported a sharp increase in influenza-associated hospitalizations among the paediatric population. Preliminary data from October 30 to November 5 shows 78 influenza-associated hospitalizations were reported.

It is safe to receive influenza and other vaccines at the same time.

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For more information:

Gen Brouillette
Media Relations Specialist
genevieveb@cps.ca