Confirming an increase in flu cases this month, NWT health officials say any family hit by the flu should still get this season’s shots.
If you think you got the flu but haven’t yet had your flu shot, officials told Cabin Radio, it could still be useful later in the winter and spring.
That’s because flu season often involves multiple waves of different flu types. The one right now is influenza A, but influenza B could follow later.
“You should still consider getting a shot as there typically will be another wave of influenza B later on in the season, and the shot will help protect you against those strains as well,” the NWT’s Department of Health and Social Services said by email on Friday.
Anecdotally, the past week or two have been brutal for Yellowknifers with many dozens of students kept out of school. The H3N2 strain of influenza A is the most likely virus behind this wave of illness, though some of the sickness could also involve Covid-19.
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Many recent reports of flu have involved young people, the GNWT says.
This year’s flu shot “isn’t a perfect match” for some H3N2 mutations but getting the vaccine is still important, the department said.
“It protects against other flu strains and may still help reduce how severe illness is, even if it doesn’t fully prevent it.”
According to the department, reports of Covid-19 cases remain low with a “small increase since the end of October.”
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There haven’t been any reported NWT cases this season of RSV, another respiratory virus that can circulate at this time of year.
Vaccination clinic information in Yellowknife changed on Friday. There’s a new schedule on the NWT health authority’s website.
You now have the option of walk-in clinics on either Wednesdays (11am-4pm) or Fridays (1-4pm) throughout December up to Friday, December 19.
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