The menu of free shots available this fall includes a time-limited offer for seniors to get the RSV vaccine.
The B.C. Centre for Disease Control says confirmed influenza cases have started to rise in the province, mostly H1N1 and H3N2, although it’s too early to say what strains will dominate.
The increase in influenza cases is particularly being seen in children, provincial health officer Bonnie Henry said Wednesday at a respiratory season update at the B.C. legislature.
And as people gather to celebrate Thanksgiving this weekend, more transmission of influenza, COVID-19 and RSV is likely, she said, although so far, the number of RSV cases has been relatively low across the province.
Henry said it’s still too early to tell how bad a season it will be, but stressed the need to get vaccinated. She said while the levels are “moderate” right now, “it’s a little bit early compared to the last few seasons.”
Health officials usually look to the southern hemisphere respiratory season to gauge what will happen here, but this year, that was “not that helpful,” Henry said. Australia and New Zealand had relatively late “but quite severe seasons,” while it varied in most of South America.
The B.C. Centre for Disease Control dashboard for respiratory infections, based on wastewater testing in the region from Sept. 20-26, showed cases of Influenza A, Influenza B and RSV were “low” in the capital region, while COVID-19 was at “moderate” levels.
An uptick in COVID-19 cases in Victoria started in early August, dipped by the end of the month, but returned by the first week of September.
In the Interior and Northern health authorities, COVID cases are low, while they’re moderate/high in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health authority regions. Cases are forecast to increase in all regions.
The province’s fall vaccination campaign is now rolling out, with appointments set to begin Tuesday, after notifications to the most vulnerable populations started going out this week. Notifications will expand to the general population through early November.
This fall, the menu of free flu and COVID-19 immunizations available includes a time-limited offer for seniors to get the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine.
RSV has similar symptoms to a cold, but can cause severe infection in some people, including those under 12 months, older adults, people with heart and lung disease, or those who are immunocompromised.
The province says it has secured nearly two million doses of the flu shot, 1.5 million doses of the updated COVID-19 vaccines, and limited doses of the RSV vaccine for those 75 and older and Indigenous people 60 and older who have not had the shot before.
Henry said the free dose of RSV program for high-risk seniors launched late last month, earlier than was planned, which has led to limited supplies. “I know there’s been tremendous demand, which I’m extremely happy about,” said Henry, adding that more doses are coming and being distributed to pharmacies and health clinics.
“So, if you’ve tried to book an appointment or reached out to a pharmacy and been told there’s limited supply, please don’t despair — more appointments will be available in the coming weeks and months.”
Rexall Pharmacy on Admirals Road had RSV vaccines on Tuesday, but quickly ran out of doses.
“We’ve already used everything,” pharmacy assistant Angelica Bugarin said Wednesday, adding more stock is expected over the next two weeks.
For flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines, the Rexall Pharmacy is not accepting appointments and is taking people on a “walk-in, first-come, first-served” basis, she said.
Chris Stokes, manager of Cridge Pharmacy on Oak Bay Avenue, said only “a select few” pharmacies were chosen by the province to administer the free RSV vaccine, and pharmacists like himself weren’t told the criteria.
Demand for the shots has been “way higher” than supply, he said. “We’ve got non-stop phone calls, and we’re not even one of the ones doing it.”
The Cridge pharmacy is geared up to deliver free COVID-19 and flu shots on Tuesday, said Stokes, adding the supply seems similar to past years.
The first couple of weeks are “always hectic,” but everyone who wants a vaccine typically ends up getting one by the end of the year, he said.
Henry said the RSV vaccine can be administered at the same time as any other vaccine.
All of the flu and COVID vaccines are free, safe, easy to access and available to everyone over six months old, she said. Anyone can get sick from influenza or COVID-19, but some groups are at higher risk of serious illness and complications, she said.
For influenza, that includes infants and children under five.
For both COVID-19 and influenza, the higher-risk group also includes adults 65 and older, those who are pregnant, individuals living in long-term care, Indigenous people, and those with chronic conditions.
Henry said that while it’s not a requirement to be vaccinated to work in a health-care setting, it is strongly recommended.
COVID-19 vaccination for health-care workers in B.C. was mandated during the pandemic, although that mandate was later lifted and replaced with an immune status reporting requirement.
The Health Ministry says B.C.’s viral respiratory illness immunization campaign aligns with recommendations from Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization, and aims to ensure priority for those most at risk.
Henry said last year was a difficult year for influenza, with both H1N1 and H3N2 causing an increase in hospitalizations across the province.
This year’s influenza vaccine is slightly different from the vaccine last year and provides protection against the H3N2, H1N1 and influenza B strains, said Henry.
In addition to getting immunized, Henry recommended cleaning your hands regularly, covering sneezes and coughs, and staying home when you’re sick, calling them “tried and true ways” to stay healthy as more viruses circulate and people spend more time indoors.
Notifications to book influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations are being sent through the province’s Get Vaccinated registration system. Anyone not registered with Get Vaccinated can do so online or call toll-free 1-833-838-2323 any time Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a B.C. Driver’s Licence or B.C. Services Card number.
The Health Ministry said vaccines are available through health authority clinics, more than 1,400 participating pharmacies and some primary-care providers’ offices.
Children age two and older can get the influenza vaccine as a nasal spray.
The program for the RSV vaccine is just one dose, recommended for long-term protection. The Health Ministry said those who have received an RSV vaccine do not need another dose.
On its website, Island Health lists a number of pharmacies on Vancouver Island that will have the vaccine.
Those who don’t have a participating pharmacy in their community can get the RSV vaccine at an upcoming Island Health immunization clinic, said the health authority, adding people can call 1-833-838-2323 to find out more about how and why to get vaccinated.
Island Health’s website says the RSV vaccine is also recommended for some adults under 75 and some pregnant people, but is not free for those groups.
To learn more about B.C.͛s immunization program and how to get vaccinated this fall, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/immunizations
To learn more about flu vaccines, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/immunizations/flu
To learn more about RSV, visit: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-vaccine