The medical health officer with Vancouver Coastal Health says despite the fact flu season doesn’t typically begin until December, there have already been seven outbreaks of influenza in Metro Vancouver care homes.
“And five of those have been in Vancouver Coastal Health,” Dr. Meena Dawar told the Courier.
Dawar said since seniors are so vulnerable to the flu, alongside people with existing health conditions, it’s important to talk about how we can all help them from catching the bug.
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, approximately 3,500 Canadians die each year from flu-related complications.
“Seniors can suffer from severe complications and a greater risk of death,” said Dawar.
Dawar added because of that, it’s vital for seniors to get a flu shot.
“But there are other pieces to that. Household contacts should also get the flu shot,” said Dawar. “If a senior lives in a multigenerational family, especially with little children, the entire family needs to get a flu shot.”
Dawar noted regular hand-washing is also important for all family members as another way to help prevent spreading the flu.
According to Vancouver Coastal Health, this year’s flu shot will offer protection against three strains of influenza viruses specified by the World Health Organization, including H1N1, H3N2 and B/Massachusetts/2/2012. Flumist, the nasal spray vaccine for children aged two to 17 years, also contains protection against a fourth strain of influenza, the B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.
The flu vaccine is available at your family doctor’s office, walk-in clinics, many pharmacies and Vancouver Coastal Health clinics. As with last year, supplies are limited so it’s advised to get your flu shot earlier rather than later. The worst of flu season typically occurs between December and March, which is why most flu clinics run in November. A Care Card is necessary to receive a flu shot at a clinic.
Those eligible to receive a free flu shot include seniors, healthy children aged six months to five years, household contacts and caregivers of infants up to 59 months, aboriginal people, all pregnant women and their household contacts, health care and other care providers in facilities and community settings, workers who provide essential services including first responders and correction officers and people who work with live poultry. Anyone planning to visit loved ones in a health care facility or who will take family members to outpatient appointments are also eligible for a free flu shot.
Dawar said as of Dec. 1 through March 31, 2015, all staff and visitors to care homes must have either had a flu shot or wear a mask. Dawar noted regular hand-washing is also important for all family members visiting a care home, as is proper cold etiquette, including coughing or sneezing into an elbow and using tissues to blow your nose.
Dawar suggested another option for sick family members is to stay home and not spread their cold or flu.
“They can arrange for someone else to visit their loved one or stay connected by phone until they’re feeling better,” said Dawar.
Dawar said it’s important seniors seek medical attention as soon as they begin to show flu-like symptoms.
“Seniors should be taken to their family doctor fairly quickly,” said Dawar. “They can really benefit from anti-virals.”
For more information on this year’s influenza threat and finding a flu shot, visit vch.ca.
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