The flu has arrived a little earlier and with more vengeance this year.
The H3N2 strain is resulting in higher than normal hospitalizations especially among the elderly.
Pharmacists are being kept busy administering flu shots.
“Demand had been big this year, we’ve definitely seen an increase in the number of people and demand is increasing every year,” says Gianni del Negro, pharmacist at London Drugs.
H3N2 hasn’t been seen since 2012, and this year the virus has mutated.
It means those who got a flu shot don’t have as much protection as they may think.
“We’ve already seen more care home outbreaks due to influenza than we saw through the entire flu last year,” says Dr. Danuta Skowronski of the BC Centre for Disease Control.
The flu shot does still provide some protection, but doctors are particularly worried about those in high risk groups.
“There is an anti-viral medication, Tamiflu, that you can get from your doctor, to be most effective that drug very eary on in the course of action, ideally within twelve hours,” says Skowronski.
As for those who still haven’t gotten the shot and want one, there is plenty of stock available at various pharmacies, and in many cases an appointment is not required.
— with files from Jill Bennett, Global News
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