THUNDER BAY -- Thunder Bay-area residents looking to get early protection against the flu this fall may want to pick up the phone and make an appointment with their doctor.
The flu vaccine is now being distributed to local health care providers, hospitals and long-term-care homes. Pharmacies are expected to receive their supplies by early next week.
But the first community immunization clinic won't take place until Oct. 23.
A worse-than-usual flu season this year in Australia could be a predictor of what will happen over the next few months in Ontario.
Individuals over 80 and children between five and nine years old were hit particularly hard in Australia, with death and hospitalization rates about twice as bad as last year.
Diana Gowanlock, manager of infectious disease programs for the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, says the prevalence of flu in places like Australia can be a clue as to what might be expected in North America, but it's not always the case.
"They did have what we would consider a particularly bad season in the southern hemisphere, but unfortunately with flu it's very hard to predict how the season will roll out. They have been issuing some information saying that 'Just in case it is bad, it's a good idea to get your flu shot,'" Gowanlock said.
Flu season peaks in Australia in August. In North America, it typically begins in October and peaks in February.
Health Canada's website reports on the most recent flu activity in this country as follows:
September 10 – September 23, 2017 (weeks 37 & 38)
- Influenza activity remains at interseasonal levels across the country. However, several indicators are above expected levels compared to previous seasons.
- In weeks 37-38, the majority of influenza detections continued to be A(H3N2). The percentage of laboratory tests positive for influenza is higher for this time of year compared to previous seasons.
The TBDHU will hold six community vaccination clinics between October 23 and November 30 in the city, Shuniah and Gorham.
Clinics will also be held in half a dozen communities in the district.
More information is available at thunderbayflu.ca.
