The Department of Health and Community Services is advising of an early and concerning start to this year’s influenza season in Canada and globally. Public health is strongly recommending everyone six months of age and older receive their flu shot as soon as they can.

Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Newfoundland and Labrador, will be available to media tomorrow, Thursday, December 18, at 11:00 a.m. in the West Block Lobby, Confederation Building.

Residents are encouraged to book their vaccination appointments by:

Visiting timefortheshot.ca
Checking with a primary care provider – such as a family doctor, nurse practitioner, or local pharmacy – for vaccine availability

The influenza season has started earlier than usual in parts of Canada, with public health officials warning of higher than usual flu activity, complications, hospitalizations, and deaths. Children are being seriously impacted by flu in Ontario, with higher than expected emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection.

Influenza activity is starting to rise in Newfoundland and Labrador, with almost all cases caused by influenza A (97.9 per cent). While most people reported to have influenza, this season were over the age of 65 (40.4 per cent), 25.5 per cent of infections were reported in children under 10 years of age.

While 20.1 per cent of people in the province have received the influenza vaccine (flu shot), only 8.0 per cent of children under 10 years have received the vaccine.

Vaccination is the best way to protect against influenza, particularly against serious complications. With the busy holiday season fast approaching, getting your flu shot will help to protect yourself and your loved ones during a time when there is usually a sharp increase in respiratory virus activity in the province. If you are a parent or caregiver, you can help protect young children who are not yet able to receive the flu shot by getting vaccinated yourself.

Vaccination against the flu is particularly important for people belonging to the following groups, who are at greatest risk of complications or disproportionately impacted by influenza:

Children aged six months to five years
Adults 65 years of age and older
Residents of senior congregate living facilities
People with certain medical conditions that place them at higher risk of influenza-related complications or hospitalizations
People who are pregnant
People from First Nations, Inuit or Métis communities

People in contact with others at high risk of complications from influenza, including health care workers, are also recommended to receive their flu vaccine as soon as they can.

To avoid getting and spreading the flu this holiday season:

Get your flu shot
Stay home if you are sick; wear a well-fitting respirator or mask if you must leave home when ill
Wash your hands often with soap and water
Cover your coughs or sneezes with a tissue or your elbow
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
Wear a well-fitting respirator or mask
Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are often touched by others

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2025 12 17
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