A shot is the best protection against getting the flu, that from the New Brunswick Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health.
Dr. Jennifer Russell says the flu season arrived earlier this year, but it isn’t over yet, and you are still encouraged to get a shot.
“We have so many doses that we have distributed. We will be continuing to administer those doses as long as the flu season continues, until the very last case. The predominant one that is circulating right now is Influenza B, and there is good protection in the vaccine against B. It is definitely not too late,” Dr. Russell says.
There are varying strains of the flu, but that is considered when the vaccine is created.
“The people who develop the vaccines do their very best at trying to protect against which strains are circulating, and making sure the match is the best possible. Regardless of that variation, it is the best protection that we have. That is why we encourage everyone to get the flu shot.”
Getting the flu shot protects those around you as well.
“It’s really the people that you are in contact with who have a higher risk, or are more vulnerable. People with chronic illness, people who are 65 and older, pregnant women, and children. Being a healthy person who gets a flu shot, you’re protecting the high risk group also.” Dr. Russell adds.
As of the end of January, there have been almost 740 cases reported, including over 200 hospitalizations and 13 deaths from influenza.
