Prince  George, B.C.-  Northern Health  reports it has 63 lab confirmed cases of  flu  throughout  the  Northern Health region.  In an update  provided  this morning,  it was noted that  of those lab confirmed  cases,  30 are in the Northern Interior,  23  are in the Northwest, and 10 are in the North east.  Those are only the lab confirmed cases,   as there  are   numerous cases of  “flu like  illnesses” or  respiratory  illnesses  handled through  a physicians’ office.  

The flu season will hit  its next peak in a couple of weeks, , but so far,  Northern Interior Health Officer, Dr. William Osei says  all indicators are that this  flu season is “normal”.  Last year there had been 136 lab confirmed cases   within Northern Health for the  full flu season, and  the numbers  of confirmed cases so far would suggest  this year will be much the same.

The issue of  adequate supply   of vaccine has been front and center over the past week, with  BC’s Provincial  Health Officer Dr. Perry Kendall  saying  it is expected there will be gaps between  available supply  and demand.

Northern Health received 80,000 doses of the vaccine to serve a population of  about 300 thousand.   So far, through its clinics, Northern Health  has administered, some 20,000 doses. It has also  distributed vaccine to physicians and pharmacies, but has no  information on how many of those doses have been  administered.

There is another  flu shot clinic today at the Northern  Interior Health Unit on Edmonton street from  1-7 p.m.

Two more  such clinics have been set  for the next two Fridays at  the Health Unit,   from 1-3:30 .