Mass vaccination against flu and COVID-19 has begun in Canada
Doctors are urging immediate vaccination of at-risk groups as respiratory infection season begins.
Canadian provinces are launching their seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, with health experts strongly urging high-risk groups to get immunized as respiratory illness season begins.
Provincial Vaccination Programs
In Ontario, priority groups already gained access to vaccination this week. These include elderly people, long-term care residents, healthcare workers, and hospital patients. Doctors confirm it's safe to get both vaccines at the same time. For the rest of the province's population over six months old, free immunization will be available starting October 27.
Alberta will launch its program on October 1 for vulnerable groups, including elderly residents of specialized facilities, people 65 and older receiving provincial seniors benefit, healthcare workers, homeless individuals, home care recipients, and anyone six months and older with chronic or immunocompromised conditions. General vaccination begins October 20, but the province has set a $100 fee for COVID vaccines for non-priority groups.
In Yukon, free immunization starts October 6 in Whitehorse and will expand to other areas of the territory starting October 16. Most other provinces and territories plan to begin their programs in mid-October.
Program Features in Different Regions
Quebec became the second province to announce charges for COVID vaccines for people not in priority categories. Besides standard risk groups, the province included pregnant women and adults from remote communities on its priority list. The fee amount hasn't been specified yet, but flu vaccination will remain free for everyone.
Medical Recommendations
Dr. Netisha Gupta from the Lung Health Foundation notes that young children, elderly people, and patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are particularly vulnerable to severe forms of both infections. According to her, vaccines are most effective at reducing illness severity and preventing hospitalizations, with protective effects developing within two weeks of vaccination.
"Your body already knows how to respond, so you don't have a severe reaction. That's why you don't end up in the hospital. That's why you don't develop pneumonia," Gupta explains.
Study on Childhood Flu Deaths
Dr. Jesse Papenburg from Montreal Children's Hospital presented research results published in the Journal of Pediatrics in July. Analysis of data from 2004 to 2022 showed 80 deaths among children and teens under 16 and 12,887 hospitalizations. More than half of those who died were under five years old.
The study revealed several important factors:
- About three-quarters of children who died had underlying chronic conditions
- Only a quarter of patients were vaccinated
- Young age is a risk factor due to limited immunity and anatomical features
"One of the main findings of the study is that flu isn't just another harmless cold — it can have serious complications," Papenburg emphasizes.
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According to the researcher, flu vaccination reduces the need for medical care and hospitalization by approximately half.
Recommendations for Parents
Dr. Kirstin Veerdenburgh from IWK Health in Halifax urges parents not to underestimate the seriousness of flu for children and to ensure their families get vaccinated. She recommends using preventive measures learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, including hand hygiene, mask use, and isolation when sick.
The specialist also emphasizes the need to seek immediate medical help if a child shows breathing difficulties or signs of dehydration.
"If there are any concerns at all, I always say: just err on the side of caution and make sure your child is examined," Veerdenburgh advises.
