More people in Prince George are getting the flu vaccine, but Northern Health northern interior medical health officer Dr. William Osei is encouraging everyone to get the shot.
"This is the season for flu," Osei said. "This is the season it's cold and people's metabolism is low . . . [infections] that get into the nose and throat quickly get into the lungs and blood."
Locally, Osei said this year the flu has been moderate. There have been no recorded flu-related deaths in Prince George and most people who have contracted it have come from long-term care homes or schools.
The composition of the vaccine changes from year to year, depending on what type of virus is expected to make the rounds. Sometimes the predicted disease doesn't match the actual bug, making the vaccine less effective but this year Osei said it's a "proper match" and no one who has received the shot in Prince George has a recorded case of the flu.
Although Northern Health is encouraging everyone to get the flu shot this year, Osei said children, the elderly, people with compromised immune systems, people looking after children or the elderly, people working in labs and people working in the agricultural industry are all at higher risk for the disease.
Some groups, including children between six months of age and five years old; seniors over 65 and Aboriginal people are eligible for free vaccines, although they could be charged an administrative fee if they go to a private dispensary.
The health authority is providing the vaccine at the Northern Interior Health Unit offices on Edmonton St. every Friday. Pharmacists and general practitioners are also distributing the immunization.
"The vaccine is our best shot against the flu infection," Osei said. "The inconvenience or pain from getting the shot is far less than getting the disease."
